The Allotment Chef Paul Merrett (Collins, £12.99) Despite the celebrity author (Merrett is a Michelin-starred chef and presents a BBC2 programme called Economy Gastronomy), this is well written, with plenty of funny bits. It tells the story of his family’s attempt to grow their own vegetables, despite the resistance of the children, who don’t like vegetables and don’t like gardening. The recipes at the end sound scrummy, as you would expect.

Homemade: Gorgeous Things To Make With Love Ros Badger and Elspeth Thompson (Collins, £12.99) Another self-sufficiency guide, also beatifully produced, with lovely pictures. This is packed with so many ideas that some are bound to appeal, even if others seem a bit naff. It would make a good present for the sort of person who likes making lavender cats and/or elderflower cordial.

Rivers Griff Rhys Jones (Hodder, £8.99) Rhys Jones is undoubtedly a celebrity author and this book is derived from his TV series of the same name. Nevertheless, there is much of interest, particularly his examples of how unnatural our landscape is and how much it has been changed by humans over the centuries.