This book is a good attempt at being different from all of the other Beanie Baby books and guides. However, it is not that easy to read because the authors grouped the Beanies according to genre, not alphabetically. Black and white pictures were not all that useful. Some background information (but not a lot) sets this book apart from the rest of the pack. However, it makes little attempt at saying what makes a particular beanie baby popular or unpopular or with whom. A good guide to starting out in the hobby but not useful if you are already immersed.