I'm writing some children's books and want to know what would be the
best software (I have scanning capabilities with the hp psc 1300
all-in-one), Power Point, Word, Word Perfect. Can I effectively use
one of the programs I have or is there a better one out there, like
Corel Draw 9 Graphics? I want the best and the easiest. Thanks

None of the products you have do illustrations, though they do "draw"
in the vector sense of the word.

Best and Easiest may be subjective to your personal point of view.
Best may be Corel Draw 9, it may be The Gimp
http://www2.arnes.si/~sopjsimo/gimp/, it may be Satori Photo XL
http://tucows.mundofree.com/winme/preview/156899.html, or it may be
Adobe PhotoShop or Adobe Illustrator. Best is really up to you.

Easiest as well is very subjective, and can be Microsoft Paint,
TuxPaint http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/, etc. Actually,
TuxPaint is surprisingly powerful for what it allows you to do, and
may be a nice thing for quick illustrations.

I am not a Google Answers Researcher

I would also recommend Photoshop, Illustrator, or Corel Draw/Painer 8
for the books.  I have seen professional painters use photoshop to
create original masterpieces---all with a computer mouse.  You may
want to buy a Wacom Pad to be able to draw/paint with a stylus pen on
the surface. . .Good Luck with your project!

I am a Art Student if you would Like I can fix anything up in
Photoshop for you if you would like. also I would try the GIMP GNU
Image Manipulation Program. Its a free open program. or OpenOffice has
a great image program and its is advailable at
http://www.openoffice.org/   they make Open Office for just about any
comptuer out there even ones you may have never head of before