Jingle Jingle, it's Consumer time, erm, I mean Christmas time. Don't panic, we'll give you some buying (and making) tips if you're not so into giving out plastic nothings...stay tuned for more lovely, thoughtful and sustainable gift ideas!

If you want something a little different to fill your family's stockings this year, have a look at these three little books ($24.95 each). They're full of 'shocking' facts but a lot of them are interesting too, especially as conversation starters! You'll never have a boring dinner conversation about real-estate or Uncle Jim's time shooting camels in Nairobi again!
From the blurbs:
"Small but perfectly formed, "The Little Book of Shocking Eco Facts" combines up-to-the-minute data about ecological issues sourced by two highly respected geographers, Mark Crundwell and Cameron Dunn, with outstanding graphic imagery created by the award-winning Barnbrook Design studio. This thought-provoking book highlights the most important issues facing our natural world by combining information gleaned from the world's most authoritative sources with visually arresting imagery that will shock and inspire. Critically, this is a publication that takes a holistic view of the world and presents facts, not fiction, about the current state of our planet. From our rainforests and wetlands to our seas and oceans, "The Little Book of Shocking Eco Facts" highlights how our natural world is threatened. Yet at the same time the book seeks to raise eco-consciousness and in so doing help avert the needless destruction of our shared and beautiful world. To this end a percentage of the profits from each book sold will be donated to The Rainforest Alliance."

"Combining thought-provoking graphic imagery with truly alarming information culled from some of the most authoritative sources around the world, "The Little Book of Shocking Food Facts" is literally jam-packed with essential truths you need to know about global food politics, fast food culture and healthy nutrition. This startling yet visually stunning book is guaranteed to alter the way you think about food production, while also changing your personal eating habits for the better. How is it that malnutrition is so widespread in the developing world, while obesity is rife in the developed world? What exactly is the nutritional value of junk food versus the health benefits of fresh fruit and vegetables? Do you know what really goes into the production of the food on your plate? "The Little Book of Shocking Food Facts" will help answer these and many other questions surrounding food production and consumption today. The crucial information presented in this book through specially commissioned, state-of-the-art graphic design has been meticulously and painstakingly gleaned from some of the world's most authoritative and up-to-date scientific studies and government reports. Extended footnotes at the back provide full citations for all information sources, as well as easy-to-understand texts that explain the facts in concise detail."


"Combining startling graphic imagery with truly shocking facts gathered from the world's most authoritative sources, "The Little Book of Shocking Global Facts" is a powerful visual manifesto by the world's most respected graphic designer, Jonathan Barnbrook and his studio. How is it that the developed world spends billions of dollars annually on weaponry, while the poor of the developing world have no access to education, medicines or even clean drinking water? What exactly is the relationship between cheap goods on the high street and the wage-slavery of sweatshops? How have large corporations branded the world in which we live?. "The Little Book of Shocking Global Facts" addresses these questions and many more besides, through its thought-provoking imagery and the persuasiveness of its first-rate research. This landmark publication demonstrates compellingly through words and pictures that unfettered globalisation is a highly destructive force when used for profit or political power, and that a new compassionate world order needs to be instigated. This important manifesto for global change will undoubtedly change its readers hearts and minds."