a) Web browsing for more LEGO ideas. Found the Avatar Battle Helicopter made in LEGO made by barebos.
It is just over a minute long - video also shows how the steering joystick controls the fans tilt. Great door actions too! See it on YouTube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnuv-DGsSWE
or still photos on Brickstream here:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=420825
I then went to look at more of barebos' YouTube stuff and found The most useless MOC ever! (very funny) and the amazing Working Lego V8, 32 valve engine As he describes it,
"Real working (electronic) V8 engine made from Lego Technic. This is not a Lego set, but I completely designed and build it myself. There is about 300 hours of work in this model. Enjoy!
For pictures and building instructions check out this link: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=276743
For the parts list: http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/blakbird/Renders/MOCs/V-8/parts_list.pdf"
That reminds me - I need to put a link in for Brickshelf in the Useful Links at the top right of the blog for you to use.
b) I just bought "Star Wars - The Clone Wars - The Visual Guide", written by Jason Fry. Another good one from the publishers Dorting Kindersley. It's not LEGO, but .... it maybe a good book to help you explain to parents who-is-who, and why you just MUST have that particular LEGO Star Wars minifig! Its shelf price was $32.95 at Borders, but I got 30% off with a Borders special members deal that was emailed to me. If you buy books from Borders sometimes, I have found joining can save some money. Go to their home page & put in your email address. They will send you weekly recommendations and many special offers and discount vouchers.