in object mode

Hi Ian,

I am not sure what you are talking about.

Maybe you just need to disable Lock Object Modes:

If by parts, you mean the Reference Images, you can Select them in the Outliner.

Also, if you are having problems Selecting things, you should really watch the Basics first:

https://cgcookie.com/courses/blender-basics-an-introduction-to-blender-4-x

I agree with Martin, it's better to start with the Blender Basics Course in the link. Press Start is not as beginner as you would expect, just kind of an introductory statement of sorts. You can watch the basics or Fundamentals and then come back to Press Start.Here's the link to the Fundamentals:

https://cgcookie.com/courses/fundamentals-of-3d-mesh-modeling-in-blender