gift guide

Discover the world's ocean--from tides and currents to the creatures living in it to the impact it has on our lives, whether we know it or not--in this richly illustrated overview of the life force that defines and sustains our planet, written by world-renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle.
Everything you want to know about the ocean can be found inside these beautiful and dynamic pages. National Geographic Ocean unveils the power and significance of our planet's watery essence: the fundamental importance of the ocean in shaping Earth's climate and chemistry as well as its vital role in supporting a multitude of life-forms, including our own human race.
World-renowned oceanographer and National Geographic Explorer in Residence Sylvia Earle--affectionately called "Her Deepness"--guides readers with her lyrical style and inspiring wisdom, describing the evolution, beauty, and impact of the ocean; the challenges it faces, such as climate change, plastic and overfishing; and the myriad ways we can help protect it.
This engaging story of the ocean celebrates dozens of ocean champions and visionaries, explores the ocean's origin and the nature of water, and features a gallery of wondrous creatures that illustrate the spectacular diversity of life in the sea, from sponges, kelp, and zooplankton to whales, sharks, and sea turtles. More than 100 maps and diagrams, including seafloor and political maps of all Earth's seas and oceans, elucidate Dr. Earle's lively narrative.
For seaside dwellers and landlubbers alike, this is a book you will turn to again and again to understand why, as Sylvia Earle says, "Everyone, everywhere is inextricably connected to and utterly dependent upon the existence of the sea."

Artisan Indira Flores of Mexico binds this pretty journal by hand, using amate paper embedded with dried flower petals for the cover. The journal contains 90 pages of unlined, recycled paper and features a suede binding.

Balinese artisan Komang Sulaksana uses natural kupu-kupu leaves, dyed a deep red, to craft the cover on his pretty photo album. Bound with agel grass, the album opens to 20 pages of rice straw paper that hold up to 20 vertical photos. On the cover, a cinnamon stick perfumes the pages with a warm, spiced scent.

Balinese artisan Komang Sulaksana uses natural kupu-kupu leaves, dyed yellow, to craft the cover on his pretty photo album. Bound with agel grass, the album opens to 20 pages of rice straw paper that hold up to 20 vertical photos. On the cover, a cinnamon stick perfumes the pages with a warm, spiced scent.

With a bold sophistication, this Indian journal is covered with taupe-colored cotton canvas decorated with black tree motifs and accented with leather at the spine and corners. Working with a passion for achieving equity, Arti Sharma presents the journal, featuring 48 pages of handcrafted cotton paper.

Filling its makeshift nest with fresh and roasted coffee beans, the rey comemaíz, or Cabanis's ground sparrow is depicted on the surface of this paper journal. Tamara Rojas creates this journal, made from sustainable materials, as part of an effort to preserve the natural flora and fauna of Costa Rica. Says the artisan, "These journals feature special designs with representative species of Central America. People will not only have something useful for their day-to-day, but they will also be able to create awareness for the need to care for our environment." The back of the journal features the common and scientific names for the sparrow.

Take notes, chronicle the day's events and plan future travel with these enchanting mini journals, each featuring depictions of songbirds over tropical flora in the style of antique court stamp paper. Indian artisan Asha Prabha makes these journals with crisp handcrafted paper that is unique to the touch, with each featuring 48 pages bound with cotton between hard paper covers, closing with attached cotton cords when not in use. These journals reflect the unique character of Asha Prabha, whose comforting personality guides new generations of artists in their stitching and embroidery as they learn the trade in her small village workshop.