Fourth grader and mom share passion for Pokémon

When 9-year-old Syler Webster isn't busy with his fourth grade class, extracurricular activities or chores at home, he and his mom are keeping track of his growing Pokémon collection.

For Syler's mother, Nicole Webster, it's the continuation of a pastime she enjoyed herself when she was her son's age. "I'm excited because I grew up playing and collecting Pokémon cards," she said, "but I never wanted to force it on him, so I was waiting until it was like an organic thing, so now it's fun that we can really do it together."

Most of Syler's collection originated during a trip he took to Juneau in March when he and his grandfather, Scott Webster, visited a shop that sold various kinds of trading cards called Coop's Collectibles. His grandfather, a major sports trading card collector himself, was friends with the store owner. When the owner discovered Syler's interest in Pokémon, he offered him a surprise.

"They had this huge box of 'commons,'" said Nicole Webster. Commons are the least rare kind of trading cards, the least valuable in any given set, and the box contained 250 Pokémon cards for the fourth grader to sort through.

In addition to the Pokémon Trading Card Game, which originated in Japan in 1996, the franchise also includes video games and anime that feature the popular fantasy creatures. The name "Pokémon" derives from an abbreviation of the franchise's full name, "Pocket Monsters" or "Poketto Monsutā."

"We're working on building a collection," she said.

Webster sets aside the cards considered to be more valuable and lets her son play with the rest.

Mother and son regularly stop by Ottesen's Ace Hardware to check out the displays of Pokémon trading cards for sale. Store manager Apryl Hutchinson lets Webster know when new shipments come in. She said that when Syler comes into the store, he always greets her by name. "It's so cute and adorable," she said.

In October, Syler started a club for other like-minded kids his age. They meet on Saturday afternoons at the library to discuss all things Pokémon. "I heard that there used to be Pokémon clubs here in town," said Webster, "but they fizzled out."

Syler's favorite Pokémon character is Squirtle, a turtle-like creature with the ability to spray water when it feels threatened.

Webster had a hard time choosing her favorite. "I don't know," she said with a smile. "There are so many good ones. I do like Gengar."