Books for parents

Using the latest developments in medical technology and imaging  to explore the human body in greater depth than any other popular reference title, and overseen by editor-in-chief Dr Alice Roberts, The Complete Human Body presents an astounding portrait of the human body in new and compelling detail.

From the publishing division of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew comes a book that should be on every parent's shelf, Elizabeth A. Dauncey's Poisonous Plants.

If you're self-employed and/or work from home and need help with your tax and accounts, Robert Sherwood's Tax without Tears could be the book for you.

Published by Michael O'Mara Books and subtitled "For the Aunt who's best at everything", The Aunts' Book will bring a smile to many a woman's face who has nieces and nephews but no offspring of her own.

We now know that five fruits and veggies a day is the bare minimum but what do you do if your child simply refuses even to eat one or two? Louise Pollard (who has this problem) has taken a look at 5-a-day For Kids Made Easy, published by White Ladder and  wishes she'd had the book earlier!

Books about bringing up babies are two a penny, but Penelope Leach's The Essential First Year is in a class of its own and is highly recommended by Parenting Without Tears for all new parents.

Becoming a mother isn't necessarily easy but becoming a stepmother is fraught with all sorts of problems – and joys. Published by Vermillion, How To Be A Happy Stepmum by psychologist and stepmother Lisa Doodson is essential reading for any woman taking on a ready-made family.

Julia Bairstow explores the Natural Secrets to Combat the Effects of Ageing and Enhance your Beauty in Charmaine Yabsley's new book Staying Young.

Nicole Burroughs, soon to begin potty training with daughter Eva, reviews The Potty Training Bible in which Jo Wiltshire offers realsitic and stress-free solutions and a range of approaches to potty and toilet training for both girls and boys.

A foodie's delight, Taste Britain introduces "destination gastonomy" and Parenting Without Tears has five copies of the book to be won.

Lesley Lodge, a parent of three puzzlingly different offspring, looks for explanations in nurtureshock: why everything we think about raising our children is wrong by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman.

A book to be read in just an hour – to transform your family relationships forever? Anne Coates turns the pages and gives her verdict on Rob Parsons' The Sixty Minute Family for Parenting Without Tears.

Anne Coates reviews  Hamlyn's "expert guidance to help you feel confident and look great".

Based on Dr Kem Thompson's personal philosophy, medical training and experiences as a life coach, Inspirational Blueprints for Personal Success for Women gives you 30 days to change the way you think and become the success you deserve.

Anne Coates reviews a book which could have an amazing impact on your life: The Winner's Bible by Dr Kerry Spackman.

A survey carried out last year by Which? Legal Service revealed that 44 per cent of people without a will said this was because they hadn't got round to it; 29 per cent said they hadn't thought about it and 18 per cent thought they didn't need one. Yet dying intestate – without a will – may mean your partner or children may be ill provided for.

For trivia fans and devotees of pub quizzes as well as parents and older children, Ask Me Anything - every FACT you ever wanted to know is a must for your bookshelves.

The Department of Health has a new booklet, The Rough Guide to Childhood Illnesses, designed to help parents recognise childhood illnesses and offer advice and information on vaccination.