For more than a dozen years, readers all over the country have checked in weekly with Marguerite Kelly's "The Family Almanac" syndicated column for help and advice in dealing with issues facing today's families. Now, fans of her column and her immensely popular book, The Mother's Almanac, will be thrilled with the arrival of this new title. Finally, families will have all the information they need in one volume: Sound ideas on everything from bringing home a new baby to choosing a preschool, coping with illness and divorce to nurturing self-confidence. Kelly's warm, assuring voice and wit combine to speak to every mother and father who are facing the tough new concerns of parents of today -- self-esteem and values, divorce, AIDS, learning disabilities and single parenting -- as well as the age-old questions on sibling rivalry, raising an only child, discipline, and grandparents. No one knows better than Marguerite Kelly how challenging parenting can be; nor can anyone be as encouraging, supportive, and enthusiastic about the joys and rewards it will bring.