The Father's Guide To Surviving With Kids

By Clarence Culpepper

Centax Books, $16.95

This book is ideal for single dads suddenly faced with having to cook for their children, entertain them on weekends, organize crafts or even plan a kiddie party.

It offers a variety of recipes from the basic -- including hard-boiled eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches and hot dogs -- to more challenging dishes such as lasagna or meatballs.

Alberta chef Clarence Shields, writing under the pen-name Culpepper, advises dads to include the kids in routine tasks "such as cutting the lawn, washing the car or cleaning the garage."

Culpepper also gives directions for craft-challenged dads to build a box castle and make paper collage comics, a tissue box guitar and masks with their children.

Building Better Families

By Matthew Kelly

Ballantine Books, $25.95

What is a family? "If you want to have some heated conversation, get a diverse group of people together for a dinner party and raise this explosive question," writes Kelly, an author and motivational speaker.

Kelly recommends concentrating on what we already have.

Families should be a place where each of us can become the best version of ourselves, he writes.

His advice for raising amazing children includes having a passion. "We need (passion) because, paradoxically a healthy obsession brings focus and balance to our minds and lives," he adds.

The Book Of No

By Susan Newman

McGraw-Hill, $19.95

This is for pleasers who need to learn the "no" word when dealing with friends, family, coworkers, telemarketers and service providers.

"When you were two years old you had little difficulty shouting No! but slowly the word was drilled out of you," writes Newman, a social psychologist. Two hints on honing your ability to turn people down:

* Make a list of the number of times you say yes in a week. "If you are an inveterate yes-person, the number will shock you."

* Pay attention to how you parcel out your time. "When your time is well-managed, you'll keep some in reserve for what's important to you."