The Animation Book, the most comprehensive guide to the making of animated films, is for everyone who has ever wanted to make a carton or simply learn how it is done. The book's premises are that sophisticated drawing skills are not necessary and that with the proliferation of inexpensive home movie equipment, even the full-color sound cartoon is not beyond the budget of the resourceful amateur.
This book broadened my horizons beyond just hand-drawn animation, but more than half the book is outdated. Tons of info about shooting and editing animation on film, and about emerging digital methods in 1998. I don’t regret reading it, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it either.