Learning to Theme – 2.X Books / Guides Still Relevant?

Hello WP Forum,

I’ve spent some time over the past ten years developing static web sites, and simple PHP / Perl (CGI) sites. Having not done much over the past couple years I’m finally getting back into it (life got busy). This go around though, I’m very interested in using an established framework and after reading a lot about Drupal, Joomla and WP, I’ve chosen WP. I’ve installed and played with it, even written a somewhat simple form processing plugin… so I’m mostly comfortable with the platform itself.

I’m now interested in moving on to theming, however I’m somewhat lost at where to start. I am somewhat familiar with the the information on theming in codex, but it feels limited in examples… it feels as though it is more of a reference as opposed to an environment to learn how to theme from (in my opinion). As such, I’m looking for a true learn as you go book / guide… I have access to several books that cover the 2.X version of WP, but the question I have is whether or not they are still relevant? The only book I’ve found thus far to cover WP 3.X is, “Build Your Own Wicked WordPress Themes”, but it focuses very heavily on child theming with Thematic.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Thanks,
J. Bush