Books for parents

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.

Sian Minnett gave Anne Coates a sideways look when she handed her Tanith Carey's How To Be An Amazing Mum When You Just Don't Have the Time to review. But Sian, with a demanding full-time job, partner and three children not to mention other commitments, is an amazing mum herself - so who better to review this book?

It seems like everyone has written a book on pregnancy, writes Olivia Coates, (even her mother!) - and those who haven't will always have something to say on the subject! It's hard to decide whether to stick with the old or branch out to the new. Olivia recommends to new books:Pregnancy for Modern Girls and The Pregnancy Pocket Bible both published by White Ladder.

According to a report by the European Commission, 62 per cent of Brits can't speak any other language. On European Language Day, Oliva Coates reviews Talk 2 French - one of the BBC's new language courses -  and polishes up her linguistic skills.

If you're planning to go back to work and have a baby or preschool child, Anne Coates thinks that Lucy Martin's The Childcare Bible should be on your recommended reading list.

“Using your menstrual cycle to achieve success and fulfilment”, is what the cover says.  Are you intrigued? Nicole Burroughs was!