First and foremost, this is my own personnel opinion, and no one should take me too seriously, although I will try to be on my best behaviour and promise not to chew the corners.

by L.Ritchey (BSc.AS) E.C.Cogswell (RN, MS, PHN) and R.Beeman

Excellent up to date book! - it's also nice to see a book dedicated to chinchillas that the Authors knew and includes their names (love the name 'black brat'!) a book not just for the novice and experienced owner but also for veterinarians as a good reference. A lot of hard work put into this one and well worth the read, this book I am showing here is the fifth edition and the authors keep updating! You can buy this book from them at their website - www.cachins.com

2. ALL ABOUT CHINCHILLAS *

by KAREN ZEINERT

I like this book, it has a nice story about M.F.Chapman and my hero Pete on his shoulder, such a cutie! (the chinchilla that is) There is some good advise and information in this book with pictures. There is also some chinchilla show information at the back, and page 68 has a nice sized cage for a single chin, but I would be happy to have a shelf and a little wooden house thrown in as well thank you very much!

3. THE GUIDE TO OWNING A CHINCHILLA *

by ANN-MARIE BARRIE

Beautiful photos of chinchillas in this one, very easy to follow making it a good buy for older kids, but, I must admit, there's a few mistakes with the information and pictures. Apart from the odd 'fur biting' chinnie pic. the photo of a standard grey on page 7 looks more like a 'black velvet', get those colour right! I'm a black velvet and a lot posher than a grey! AND that male chinnie wearing a female breeding collar - how dare he! Also, I'm not keen on the idea of us veggie chinnies eating 'raw hide and chicken meal' chewy snacks. Obviously this book was intended for the 'pet' owner so if you take away the breeder critics, you have a nice pet book.

4. BREEDING AND CARING FOR CHINCHILLAS **

by EGON MOSSLACHER

A sensible book this, more for the serious chin owner, the preface does make you feel 'guilty' for been a pet owner rather than a 'fur breeder'! but I must admit, without the fur breeder we furballs wouldn't be your pets would we? As for the nutritional guide, if you don't have more than a hundred of us furballs - forget it, plain pellets will do! Most is based on the authors own opinions and experience, but all in all it's a good book to have.

5. PRACTICAL CHINCHILLA KEEPING ***

by JEAN C.COULTON

Excellent book this, all the other books rolled into one. Very good reliable information, and advice for the most serious pet owners, breeders and hobbyists, just one snag - try getting this book! It's unfortunately pretty hard to get hold of, but if there's a re-print then it more than likely will be bought up quickly. The one I have is a miss-print which means the information is there but the pictures are a little dull and 'off' which doesn't matter - because it's the information that counts isn't it now?....eh?....what do you mean you only buy a book 'cos of the cute piccies?

7. THE PET OWNERS GUIDE TO THE CHINCHILLA*

by  KIRKIEWITCZ AND BROOMHEAD

Very good book for younger pet owners, the pictures are clear and the chin colours are really nice to see, that wonderful cage size on page 27, and the cage on page 25 is actually a large aviary cage, I know because I live in one of these! I also have a chunky ladder and a great wheel (thanks to 'Pacific Northwest Chinchillas) - I'm spoiled rotten I am. This book is great for kids aged 13+

by HORST KUHNER

This book is generally recommended reading by breeders to new pet owners, I can see why, It's easy to read and understood by all ages, you can't go wrong with the good advice given and the pictures are good too. There is also information about breeding in this book with cage tips, really nice read.

by LUCY DANIELS

Okay, I know this isn't an educational book, it's actually a story about a little chinchilla that hides in someone's bag - great bedtime read for us chinnies!

by VIRGINIA RICHARDSON

This book covers six rodents, Chinchillas, mice, rats, gerbils, Hamsters and Chipmunks. There is a large chapter for each rodent, part one introduces the species, husbandry, nutrition and diseases that result in poor management, part two outlines the diseases in a 'rapid reference' format, part three deals anaesthesia, surgery and drug treatment available up to date of print (1997) - see, I CAN be serious when I try!

11. CHINCHILLAS**

by MAIKE RODER-THIEDE

How could I ignore this one,  this was my owners first book and a very well nibbled one it is too! A well written book, clear and concise, and all you need to know as a 'beginner' to the chinchilla, cute picture of the authors own chinchillas, the author is a vet in Germany.

12. THE CHINCHILLA FARM (by W.W.Norton books -308 pages)

by JUDITH FREEMAN

Alright, maybe I am going a bit daft adding this to the list - but I did say 'everything chinchilla', this book depends on what 'side' of the farm you live on - this could be a romantic adventure novel or a 'save the chinnie from those nasty fur breeders' book!

 The story: Verna Flake is fleeing Utah, a failed marriage, and the constricted yet strangely exotic Mormon way of life. Naive in a way but also gifted with an almost second sight for the emotional heart of things, Verna relates her adventures on the road, in Los Angeles, and eventually in Mexico as she confronts her future and muses over her past. 

14. MODERN CHINCHILLA FARMING

by J.W.CLARKE

Hmmm....not much to say about this book, it's not really a modern book at all as it's based in the 50's and 60's from what I know, and I haven't really read it as it looks rather boring and plain and all about breeding chinchillas for fur profit which makes my little heart beat fast and furious - I'll give this one a miss if you don't mind....not worth nibbling!

15. MODERN CHINCHILLA - PENS AND EQUIPMENT

by  ?

Not really sure about this one, it says 'modern' like the one above, but as you can see by the cover it's not really! It mentions 'pens and equipment' so this book is obviously for the chinchilla breeders in the fur trade - as shown on the front ( note the chinchilla at the side looking on  disgusted at the woman in the posh chin shawl - Have the book - but haven't had time to read it yet!

by A.H.KENNEDY

Probably the best book a serious chinchilla breeder and owner will buy, this book was written in the early 1950's but still considered the best book to buy, it covers many things including picture (not for the faint hearted) along with early theories of what the cause could be, it's mostly for serious reading and a good one to have - always have that extra knowedge as we furballs - although rarely are ill in the right conditions - may need your help one day! - vets may have modern ideas today - but the old ways still apply in many chinchilla cases

16. DISEASES OF CHINCHILLAS 

by PROFESSOR Dr.HELMUT KRAFT

This one is not as good as the Kennedy diseases of chinchilla book - but still quite good - useful book and although written in the 50's the information is updated a little in this version - 1987 print - note quotes at back of this book:

"This book, Diseases of Chinchillas, is considered "the Bible" in Germany where chinchillas are raised by thousands of hobbyists. It is part of the TFH series.

"This book is written for the serious chinchilla hobbyist, dealer and breeder. It is also helpful to veterinarians who might consider adding chinchillas to their list of small animal specialties." 

by ROGER WHEAR

My owner has two copies of this book, one personally signed by Roger and I'm definitely not allowed  to chew the corners of this one! The list of fruit treats on page 18 are great if you like them, some of us chinchillas  are rather 'picky' with treats believe it or not! Good for that extra book but the information lacks the essential ingredients new owners need to know at the beginning of chin keeping