I used Smiley's Butterfly cookbook & kit. It was very helpful. I'm sure his Arduino kit is worth the money. He's correct, the internet is full of info but hard on beginners. No - I'm not his nephew. In fact I may be older than him 
I do not understand the attack on Sparkfun. I've bought a number of products from them and have ALWAYS been satisfied. Nobody's perfect but they are a good vendor. I'm not their cousin either