Giving books as gifts can be intimidating. You want a “wow!” rather than a polite “thank you.” Our gift guide is designed to be as varied as the personalities of the people on your list.

 

 ANIMAL KINGDOM: 


See Also


“Animal Encyclopedia”: Spend hours learning about and looking at 2,500 creatures. Besides the succinctly edited text, maps, photos and diagrams convey information. Chapters are organized by six major groups: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Naturally, this compelling compendium is a National Geographic offering. The book jacket states it is “simply the best children’s animal encyclopedia.” It’s safe to eliminate children from that description. All ages, all the time. $24.95.

“Bird watcher’s Bible”: This “complete treasury of science, know-how, beauty and lore” comes from the folks at National Geographic Society and is edited by expert ornithologist Jonathan Alderfer. Need we say more? $40

“Ralph Steadman Book of Cats”: See the feline species in all its moods as you peruse more than 150 color renderings by the gonzo icon who began his career at Rolling Stone, oh so long ago. Pardon the pet pun, but “Cats” is a perfect companion for one of Steadman’s other titles, “Complete Book of Dogs.” Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $24.


 

ARTISIC INTERLUDES:

“Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain”: A deluxe fourth edition of the classic instructional guide by Betty Edwards includes a new introduction, list of hints for solving various problem in your life with visual thinking skills, and reproductions of master drawings. There is a reason that more than 2 million copies of “Brain” circulate around the world, and the demand continues. Its instructions are easy to follow, tried and true. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, $29.95.

“Glittering Images”: Intellectual provocateur Camille Paglia takes us on a “reflective and imaginative” tour of Western art from ancient Egypt to George Lucas’ “Star Wars.” This one is guaranteed to stir the critical soul. Pantheon, $30.

“Tango Nuevo”: The passionate pull of the ever popular Argentine tango and its controversial evolution and spread throughout the modern world is explored in this lover’s embrace by Carolyn Merritt. University Press of Florida, $24.95.

“Dancers Among Us”: Photographer Jordan Matter says this book of pictures of dancers inserted into everyday situations is designed to celebrate the joys of “a life filled with passion.” You will find it mesmerizing and hard to put down. Workman Publishing, $17.95.


 

NUMBERING THE PAST:

“Commanding the Storm”: In a collection gathered from letters, memoirs, reports and testimonies, John Richard Stephens explores 12 major battles of the Civil War in the words of 24 generals who fought them. Lyons Press, $27.95

“Modern History in Pictures”: The 20th century is documented through the photographers’ lens. More than 1,000 pictures from the files of the Smithsonian bring our recent history into focus. DK, $30.

“Imagining Canada”: One hundred years of photos from the files of The New York Times along with provocative commentary gives readers a street level view of our northern neighbor as it matured. Doubleday, $40.

“Fifty Machines that Changed the Course of History”: Mankind has always had a unique relationship with machines. This fascinating collection by Eric Chaline begins in 1801 and takes us from looms to cellphones. Firefly, $29.95.


 

CLASSIC RENDITIONS:

“The Art of the Hobbit”: September marked the 75th anniversary of the publication of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” The original featured 10 black-and-white pictures, two maps and a dust jacket created by the author. Subsequent editions included more of Tolkien’s art. Now, fans, old and new, can study more than 100 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by their favorite tale-teller. Some images appear for the first time in this new publication edited by Tolkien scholars Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $40.

“The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm”: Beginning with the scholarship of the genre and wrapping up with biographies of the illustrators, which reads like a Who’s Who of modern greats from the 1820s to the 1950s, the newly translated collection of 27 tales provides notes and commentary that are as interesting as the classic stories themselves. What better way to commemorate the 200th anniversary? Taschen, $39.99.

“Miss Jane Austen’s Guide to Modern Life’s Dilemmas”: Through Rebecca Smith’s time-traveling literary lens we are able to get her great-great-great-great-great aunt’s “sensible” advice for overcoming our mostly mundane muddles. A lot of fun. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, $16.95.

“Signature Shakespeare”: Replete with extraordinary laser cut paper designs, this beautiful new collector’s series of the master’s work comes in individual matching volumes of “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Romeo and Juliet.” Sterling, $29.95 each volume.


 

ESOTERICA

“Part of the a Complete Breakfast”: Author Tim Hollis’ latest offering looks as inviting and kitschy as the advertising characters that are the subject of this well-researched and organized book. This is not a history of the cereal industry. Tony the Tiger, Trix Rabbit, Toucan Sam and others in the same “biz” remain in the spotlight of this pop cultural trove. University Press of Florida, $26.95.

“Unbored: The Essential Field Guide to Having Fun”: Get them off the couch and involved inside, outside and online. This is the book every concerned parent has been looking for. Stuffed full of cool stuff. Bloomsbury, $25.

“Upcycling Celebrations”: This book by Danny Seo bears a subtitle that says it all: “A use-what-you-have guide to decorating, gift-giving and entertaining.” Plastic Spoon Tulip Arrangements, Potato Chip Bag Balloons. Don’t worry. Despite their names, these projects are as far away from tacky as you can get. The ingenuity and aesthetics involved surprise and inspire. Running Press, $18.


 

FODDER FOR FOODIES

“Consider the Fork”: Historian Bee Wilson traces the evolution of kitchen tools from the wooden spoon to the gadgets of modern high tech kitchens. The result is a picture of modern food culture with ample portions of history, science and anthropology. Basic Books, $26.99

“Grand Cocina Latina”: Explore Latin and South American cuisine, and life, one recipe at a time with award-winning chef Maricel Presilla’s massive undertaking. With her guidance, set a “pan-American table” at your next dinner party. Norton, $45.

“Field to Feast”: Contemplate the how and why and where of eating locally. From starters to desserts this collection features recipes from Florida farmers, chefs and artisans. The University Press of Florida, $28.

“Mac & Cheese, Please!”: Fifty variations of the American classic. Yummy! Andrews McMeel, $16.99.

“Tyler Florence Fresh”: The star TV chef shows us how it’s done serving by serving in this gorgeously designed modern treat. Crown, $35.


 

FOR THE TOUGH CROWD

“Albert Einstein and Relativity for Kids”: Chicago Review Press presents the latest in its series of information and fun-packed biographies. Editor Jerome Pohlen, a former elementary school science teacher, provides a time line, information about other physicists and projects designed to teach Einstein’s theories. Create sunsets in a soda bottle, model a nuclear chain reaction using dominoes and calculate the speed of light with a melted chocolate bar. ($16.95)

I Funny”: James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein tell a story to add to Patterson’s ever-expanding Middle School series. Jamie, a new protagonist wants to win The Planet’s Funniest Kid Contest. He studies the great comedians, fills notebooks with jokes, and hones his technique. He chronicles his progress, and the result is a first-person fictional narrative guaranteed to charm. Little Brown, $15.99.

“Lincoln”: Designed as a companion book to Steven Spielberg’s latest release, “Lincoln” by Harold Holzer, uses letters, speeches and documents to put together a portrait of the 16th president. A combination of more than 30 photographs, excerpts from Lincoln’s own writing, a bibliography and end notes result in a well-told biography for youngsters. (It Books, $16.99).
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