It has already been mentioned, but I'll second the nomination - the Golden Guide to Seashells of the World can't be beat for youngsters. It is one of the "Golden Guide Series". This little book has a short introductory section, with good general information, written in simple language, while the rest of the book has a minimum of text, and clear, sharp full color pictures of over 500 species (not photographs, but excellent, realistic full color drawings). It used to cost $1.50 (ha - so did a lot of other things!) but still costs only a few dollars. It was my first shell book, and no doubt the first shell book of many other collectors. As far as starter collections go, I listed several different small "ready-made" collections some years ago, but after listing them for a couple of years I got little response, so I dropped them. I think the problem was that people who were viewing my lists were already collectors, and into acquiring shells on a "per specimen" basis, while parents, teachers, and others who might be very interested in obtaining such a starter collection for a child were not viewing my lists. I think such a small starter collection might be popular if offered through a more general outlet, rather than a shell dealer's list - something like a museum gift shop perhaps, or an ad in a general natural history magazine. Regards, Paul M.