to find out more about the basics of animation, try:
http://www.awn.com/tooninstitute/index.htm
http://www.freetoon.com/pages.php

here's a description of the 5 main styles of animation, with recommended animators or films highlighted, and web links:

Drawn
drawings are made on seperate sheets, registered with a pegbar. Key drawings are made, then in-betweens drawings are added
• Windsor McCay, the grand-dad of drawn animation - made almost a hundred years ago but still amazing - Little Nemo, Gertie the Dinosaur, the Mosquito
• Bill Plympton - Niknaks, the Tune http://www.awn.com/plympton/

Cel
Cels are clear pieces of acetate, used in layers, with different parts of the picture painted on each, so as to avoid having to paint a whole new picture every frame
• Disney - Jungle Book, Tarzan, Pinnochio, Beauty and the Beast
• the Simpsons - say no more
• Belleville Rendezvous - a quirky, beautifully crafted french animation

Cut-out
characters are made from seperate pieces of card and animated under a camera
• Terry Gilliam - early in his career he created animations for Monty Python
• South Park - originally cutout animation, now produced on computer

Model
models are made from clay, latex, rubber or other materials, with an inner armature/skeleton
• Aardman Animations, well known for Chicken Run / Wallace and Gromit http://www.aardman.com
• Jan Svankmajer, master of surreal animation - Dimensions of Dialogue, Food http://www.illumin.co.uk/svank/
• Henry Selick, director of Nightmare Before Christmas / James and the Giant Peach

Computer Generated Imagery / CGI
CGI animation software can be either 3D or 2D. Most special effects involve CGI
• Pixar/John Lasseter - watch anything with the Pixar name attached for masterful storytelling and guaranteed entertainment - Toy Story, Bugs Life, Monsters Inc, The Incredibles and also early work by Jon Lassiter - Luxo Jnr, Knick Knack, Tin Toy.
http://www.pixar.com/shorts/