Growing Food in Small Gardens by Barbara Segall, softback published by New Holland. ISBN 978-1-84773-696-3, price 7.99 available from www.newhollandpublishers.com

This is a handsome book full of good advice on growing vegetables accompanied by good layout and photography. It covers the usual vegetables and fruit but nothing out of the ordinary. There is a list of suppliers but again the usual names, nothing unusual or out of the ordinary. What a pity she did not mention the Seed Search, the book which helps gardeners to find all kinds of seed.

Love…Knitting by Val Pierce, softback published by New Holland. ISBN 978-1-84773-594-2, price 12.99 available from www.newhollandpublishers.com

Good beginner’s knitting instructions with excellent photography throughout. Toasty slippers are one of my favourites from the 25 projects in this book. The cashmere stole is also excellent as well as the skinny scarf and the shrug. Like its counterpart, Love…Crochet, I found the rest of the pattens a little dated but well worth buying for the patterns I have mentioned. There are hats, scarves and sweaters too.

Love…Crochet by Carol Meldrum, softback published by New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-84773-595-9, price 12.99 available from www.newhollandpublishers.com

Crochet is fashionable once more. This book has a good mix of 25 projects that will build your confidence in crochet. There is an excellent how-to section. I love the cobweb gloves and spiky scarf. Some of the projects still a little old-fashioned, but a good introduction to crochet.

Make a Monster by Fiona Goble, hardback published by New Holland. ISBN 978-1-84773-596-6, price 14.99 available from www.newhollandpublishers.com

Bright, playful and full of joy, these monsters are not only for kids but for grown-ups too. Secretly, I’m in love with Rufus and dying to take him to bed – but don’t tell anyone. Instead of pinching the kids’ sweets, you could start pinching the toys. This book could divide families! 15 gorgeous, fun-loving projects made with easy fleece. Very clear instructions with templates, so suitable for beginners. More experienced sewers might like to add their own character faces to these wonderful patterns. I want them all. Recommended for the young and young at heart. A great introduction for kids starting to sew too, under supervision by an adult of course. Projects are graded. Sheer delight!

The Complete Photo Guide to Doll Making by Nancy Hoerner, Barbara Matthiessen and Rick Petersen, softback published byCreative Publishing International. ISBN 978-1-58923-504-5, price 16.99 in the UK, available from www.creativepub.com

What a superb reference for doll makers everywhere. The authors have really gone to work on the sections in this book that cover so many different dolls. Make dolls with wooden bobbins, socks, fabric, felt, corn husks, twigs, paper and more. This book’s strength is its versatility. Its weakness is that many of these dolls could have been a bit better looking but dolls are lucky in that sense, it is easy to change the features. Well worth the money for its inventiveness. Easy to use thanks to good instructions and clear photographs. Learn the methods then create your own range of dolls.

Heavenly, delicious and good for you. Become a smoothie guru with the aid of this book full of goodness. A great way to start the day full of fresh ingredients bursting with vitamins and minerals. You’ll be shaking your booty in no time.

Hundreds of cupcake recipes that will take you straight to heaven for those who do not have to count calories. Every girl deserves a treat! Classic cupcakes, but this book extends beyond the usual ‘fairy-type – cake with lots of icing to other, and I have to say not the usual cupcake recipe. This book is more a what you can bake in a case book than a cupcake as we have come to think of it. There are even savoury recipes such as cheese and tomato cupcakes. Looks like it is printed on recycled paper although I could not find anything that says it is.

The Art of Preserving by Rick Field and Rebecca Courchesne, hardback published by Apple Press. ISBN 978-1-84543-388-8, price 16.99 from www.apple-press.com

There’s something about jams, preserves and pickles that make the mouth water. Concentrated fruits are so luscious in colour and texture. In this wonderful book there are many recipes for preserving the best of the season to relish through the dark winter days. Everything from jams to jellies and chutneys to pickles – this is a real treat. Where this book really scores is in the recipes. Ideas for using your preserves. The layout and photography make this book so easy to use. I can’t wait to try the yogurt parfait with berry jam and granola; the gorgeous savoury butter ready to melt in my mouth not to mention rhubarb-mint chutney. Anyone for toast and jam?

Little Birds compiled by Susanne Woods, softback published by CT Publishing in the USA. ISBN 978-1-60705-003-2, price 15.95 USD from www.ctpub.com

Which little birdie will be your favourite? Over two dozen lovely birds to choose from for all manner of uses. Make mobiles, use them for a collection, great for gifts and party presents. Use the embroidered birds to embellish purses and wallets, notebooks etc. Super details and easy to follow instructions with templates included. There is not one thing I do not like about this book. It’s wonderful.

Christmas with Possibilities by Linda Milligan and Nancy Smith, softback published by CT Publishing in the USA. ISBN 978-1571209399, price 22.95 USD available from www.ctpub.com

Get your Christmas off to the best possible start by creating the right atmosphere with these quilted designs. Everything from stockings, cushions and wall hangings.I love the tree quilt best of all. Very easy to follow instructions and full-sized templates are always in demand.