Do your homework on the area to be explored first. This may give you an idea of the things you may see, which will help you decide on which field guides to take out – if any.
For the first trip just take binoculars, notebook, map and maybe a camera. You can add other items for a later trip if you see something you may like to concentrate on. It’s no good taking everything until you know an area better.
Then you can add field guides, magnifying glasses (better for kids) or hand-lenses, collecting gear etc.
After a while you may find that your interest tends to lean towards certain groups such as birds, flowers or insects. Or even certain habitats such as woodlands or heathland etc. You can then refine your equipment to suit.
Of course you could be unlucky like me and be interested in everything which drives you mad lol..
The Nick Baker books seem interesting for beginners, and I think there's one called 'The New Amature Naturalist' that looks good.
Alan
ps: a pooter is a small transparent cylinder with with a couple of rubber tubes on it that you suck small insects up with. A bit like a vacuume - you have to do the sucking though!