Recomending Reading For Creating Custom Design Options

[dbdummy]

I have purchased Movable Type (the 5 user license) and have played with it, it's structure, language, etc. I now want to move forward in creating a custom template without using the default MT themes or templates.

But finding where to begin seems to be short of impossible. Can anyone answer some simple questions?

1. Can anyone recommendation any good, clear books on CSS, developing websites in CSS

2. I have looked for books on movable type, but the they all seem pretty outdated (although I did purchase Sam's teach yourself movable type just to help learn the past structure.) Since I can't find any books using 4.1 does anyone know if I create my templates in 4.1 is there a chance of them breaking when the new version comes out?

3. Does anyone know of a place that has the MT4 template tags in a pdf or another format that I can download and 'print' for reference?

4. I have dug into the default templates and reviewed the structure of themes. I also googled the past three days for any tutorials to help me in my quest. Short of pulling out my hair I have not found any that are clear (although they may be to anyone who has developed in MT.) I know html, css, php, mysql and just enough javascript to get myself into trouble. Perhaps there are MT4 tutorials out there that have not been picked up by google, does anyone know of any?

5. Are there any custom templates out there that I can view the source files to get a better hold of MTs templating and customizing my own site? I have already designed my new site and know exactly what I want it to look like and do : )

Thanks. I have a feeling it's just the fear of learning something new that is intimidating to me when it comes to MT. But I love what I have seen so far and know I will be posting many questions in here.