Collecting Books

Meet Fergal. He is a loner and a bit of an eccentric. His parents often worry about him. They like to think he is clever, but sometimes even being clever doesn't explain everything.

A recent visit to the grocery store with his mother has Fergal excited about something new. While at the store, he discovered the wonders of the "bargain bin." It is where items with bumps and dents and nearly expired dates go to be rescued by some value-minded shopper. What Fergal finds in the bargain bin is a shiny can missing its label. The mystery of the unidentified can inspires Fergal to begin a collection. Fergal becomes obsessed with label-free cans. In no time at all his collection grows to over 40 cans. His parents think it is a bit strange but hopefully harmless.

When the collection takes over the bookshelf in Fergal's room, his mother insists that for each new can he finds he must open one of the old ones. She considers it a waste to just collect the things and not use the contents. This leads to Fergal's gruesome discovery.

One might think that Fergal is the only person to think of collecting unlabeled cans, but he bumps into a fellow can-collector at the store one day. Her name is Charlotte. She has also opened several of her cans and found something equally as gruesome as Fergal. Together they set out to solve the mystery.

Alex Shearer's CANNED offers misfit characters, humor, and just the right amount of "gross" stuff to satisfy typical middle grade and teen readers. Even though the story is set in England and uses British jargon, most readers will relate to Fergal and Charlotte as they quietly carry on their investigation under the noses of clueless adults. This wacky, off-beat adventure is well worth checking out.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

I don't know a lot about fishing equipment, but my dad does. I bought this book for him as a gift and he loved it.

I read the prior reviews before buying this book. I have found it very helpful in buying carnival glass. Without it, I would have been somewhat lost. I have a strong desire to buy the D Doty book on the subject as well now.

You can buy and read all the other cartoon collectible toy books ever published, but you won't find as many characters or as many figural toys represented in this guide. It is an excellent collection of so many obscure characters, as well as all the major ones. If you collect cartoon toys, especially figural ones, don't pass this one up. It also includes nearly every vinyl figure the company Dakin has every produced. A must for the Dakin collector.

This beautiful 224 page book features over 800 full color, large, sharp photos and estimated values. Major categories include: Disney, Warner Brothers, Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Character Hall of Fame and resources. There is a complete history of each major category where you'll find interesting and useful information. A welcome addition to your library.

This is a "Must Have" for any serious Case Classics collector. A separate supplemental Price Guide dated 2001 is also necessary to learn all of the 36 patterns of the Case Classics.
There is no other publication with information about the story of Jim Parker and his dreams that tells the history, birth and the introduction of the Case Classics.
This is a totally comprehensive guide to the world of collecting these beautiful hand made knives with pictures and production quantities, as well as, many prototypes and low run quantities...
Jim Parker, former owner of WR Case & Sons, will be remembered for many great things, but the Case Classics, Best in the Long Haul, will be one of his best...

I have seen an advance copy of the "The Official U.S. Casino Chip Price Guide" by James Campiglia and Steve Wells and I was very impressed. I will only use this new book from now on.

As a collector I always hoped that someone would write an illustrated and accurate book on cast iron automotive toys. This book, more than fulfills my expectations. A must for anyone who collects. A must for anyone who played with these toys as a child. This is how books on collectibles should be written. It is not only a history of the subject but an encyclopedic account of the toys, their catalogs, and their accessories.Well done Schiffer and the Outwaters!

This is a wonderful book for anyone who collects cat items! The pictures and descriptions are fantastic.

For those interested in Roman Catholic history in England and America during the time of Protestant persecution, this volume provides a solid overview and is well illustrated with artistic and literary pieces. Connected to a now finished exhibition, the work stands sufficiently by itself and helps develop a greater understanding for the development of Catholicism during a time of persecution. England did not grant emancipation to Catholics until the 19th century and religious freedom and liberty in America was often viewed as being only for Protestants - attempts were often and repeatedly made to deprive Catholics of liberty, property, and even, on occasion, life. Inspite of these difficulties, Catholic culture and life survived - and this volume does a good job of explaining the art, culture, and concept of Catholic identity as it developed in this period.