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Why we LOVE this product!
Python is where many kids go after Scratch, and this book makes the jump manageable. It starts from zero, explains each idea in plain language and gives kids activities to try straight away, and reviewers say adults new to coding find it useful too.
The bug-hunting guide is a thoughtful touch, because errors are what put most beginners off.
Two things to weigh: it is mostly text and code with few pictures, so it suits a motivated reader, and it needs a laptop or desktop computer.
Description
SKU:
9781646113880
Python Programming for Beginners: A Kid's Guide to Coding Fundamentals by Patricia Foster (Rockridge Press, 2020) is a 198-page book that teaches kids to write real code in Python, a text-based language used by professional programmers, starting from the basics and building up with activities.
What's inside
- 198-page paperback
- Chapters that introduce one coding idea at a time
- Activities to practice each idea
- A bug-hunting guide for troubleshooting errors
How it works
Kids install Python on a computer, then work through the chapters, typing short programs and running them. Each chapter explains a concept, shows example code, then sets activities to try. The bug-hunting guide helps when a program will not run.
What kids learn
- Python basics: variables, data types, input and output
- Coding concepts: conditionals, loops and functions
- Debugging: reading error messages and fixing mistakes
- Thinking like a programmer: breaking a problem into steps
Good to know before you buy
- Age: the publisher lists ages 10 to 14.
- Needs a computer: Python is free to download, but it needs a laptop or desktop rather than a tablet.
- Typing: text-based coding means typing, so it suits kids who are comfortable on a keyboard.
- Price: $16.99 at Barnes & Noble when we checked.
Who it's for
Tweens ready to move on from block coding like Scratch to "real" typed code, middle school coding clubs, and parents learning alongside.
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Learn more!
Get set up
- Download Python: the free official download for Windows, Mac and Linux
About
Barnes & Noble
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