A Playful Introduction To Programming - Python for Kids

A very good intro book to Python, programming in general and lots of fun. I have coded Basic, Aspect, C, Visual C++, MASM, PC Cobol in over 20 years ago and wanted to learn Python in 2014 for a Cisco NX-OS use. It was easy to follow, lots of fun, and makes a great reference too. I recommend it as a first book new to programming or to the language. It covers MAC and PC, IDEs and all the necessary and some advance areas of Python v3.x as well as GUI programming for fun games with Tkinter too.

My wife, an English major with no programming background, decided to try learning to code. We picked up this book and she has found it to be a helpful, readable introduction, with fun examples that keep her engaged too.
A couple of my statistics professors also tried this book -- they already knew how to program in other languages, just not Python. They found it helpful and amusing too. So, you know, they could rename it "Python for Kids through tenured PhDs" :)

My husband and grandchild are working through this and having a blast learning while they spend time together. It's written in a way that is accessible for children and adults just dipping into Python.

This book is advertised as being "for kids", however I didn't really find that to be true, although the coding examples very specifically used youthful lists (eg wizards, toads etc). At least one of the practice examples required more mathematical knowledge than a "kid" would have. The language level is also probably higher than the average "kid" would use.

However the book is brightly coloured and in a large font.

I will keep working through it and who knows, I might be a Python programmer one day!

I'm an auditor with no real experience in computer programming other than trying out some other non-programming tools to create games. Bought this to get a generally understanding of terms and how programming works. Extremely easy to follow and understand. I'm not sure if a 10 year old could understand it completely (I sure couldn't at that age!) but I've excelled greatly and will be moving onto learning C++ to try some more powerful programming.

Bought one for each of my grandchildren. They are using the book in conjunction with the Kano I bought for each of them. They are working their way through the book as I'm writing. Bought one for myself as well. Looking forward to finding the time to start working on it.

As a previous reviewer did I asked my daughter to give me the stars rating for this book since I have not read it

She gave it 5 stars. She said it was easy to read from what she has read so far and she has already completed a couple of projects.

Her comments included the book is easy to understand laid out logically, and doesn't get boring. And while she wasn't sure she would like the book, the length of the projects she has done make me think she is very interested and enjoyed it

The part about not being boring was especially good to hear. So many times books written for children are written in such a way that it bores them, and they throw it away pretty fast.

I think a good testimonial for this book is that she wants to see more books on the topics.

My kids are interested in programming. This book presents programming in Python, which is a currently "hot" language, and one that is easy to learn and use. The language and type is appropriate for kids age 10 or so. They are learning a lot from it. I think this book is right on target.

In spite of the proliferation of Python Tutorials, this text for kids (who can read well and understand basic mathematics) has several unique features: 1. It attempts (and succeeds) in being highly portable between Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. 2. It is the only Python 3 text that I have seen so far that is intended for the juvenile market. 3. It offers bite sized pieces of the language in a simple progression until the middle of the book (only then offering an extended game example. 4. It provides an interesting game example based upon Tkinter and Gimp which provides additional portability between Operating Systems since Pygame (generally used for introducing programming of games to kids is only available in the Windows environment (also Tkinter is a valuable tool for building GUI Interfaces). The colorful and imaginative illustrations by the author of a popular and fun-loving Haskell tutorial add considerably to the entertainment vallue of this text for children and adults. Two additional features of this useful and entertaining volume not normally contained in a programming tutorial are appendices describing both graphics programming environments and other (than Python) Programming Languages along with a summary of the operating environments in which they are available, and another appendix summarizing and defining the key words of Python 3 (very useful for future reference).

I highly recommend this lighthearted, highly portable and easy to understand guide to Python for kids and adult beginners.

--Ira Laefsky, MS Engineering (Computer Science)/MBA, Information Technology Consultant and HCI Researcher
formerly on the Senior Consulting Staff of Arthur D. Little, Inc. and Digital Equipment Corporation

If you know someone who wants to become a programmer, Python for Kids is a very helpful place to start. Sooner or later, they are going to need to learn some real computer skills and I thought Python for Kids has some strong answers. Python is a programming language that is as easy-to-learn as it is powerful. I thought that this fun and enjoyable book makes learning Python as easy as possible. The book walks kids (or adults) through the basics of learning Python -- and programming in general -- and enables kids to create some sample games by the time they're finished: clones of Pong, and a Super-Mario-style platform game.

But don't get the idea that it's just fun & games; Python for Kids really does go through all the terms and intricacies -- thanks to some color-coded examples of real coding. It teaches how to reference gaming maps, organize and reuse your code to speed things up, conditional statements and loops, drawing shapes and patterns, creating animations, and much more. And make no mistake: Real, good-paying jobs are available now for Python programmers, so this is a skill they can rely upon throughout their (successful) lives.

A very good intro book to Python, programming in general and lots of fun. I have coded Basic, Aspect, C, Visual C++, MASM, PC Cobol in over 20 years ago and wanted to learn Python in 2014 for a Cisco NX-OS use. It was easy to follow, lots of fun, and makes a great reference too. I recommend it as a first book new to programming or to the language. It covers MAC and PC, IDEs and all the necessary and some advance areas of Python v3.x as well as GUI programming for fun games with Tkinter too.

This is fantastic book on introduction of Python. Although it won't touch in many aspects of the language and some main projects, it will allow kids to have a pretty good idea of what is possible. I would like it to have other types of examples such as web pages, console utilities, etc, but I guess it would overwhelm children.
Overall, highly recommended.

As a previous reviewer did I asked my daughter to give me the stars rating for this book since I have not read it

She gave it 5 stars. She said it was easy to read from what she has read so far and she has already completed a couple of projects.

Her comments included the book is easy to understand laid out logically, and doesn't get boring. And while she wasn't sure she would like the book, the length of the projects she has done make me think she is very interested and enjoyed it

The part about not being boring was especially good to hear. So many times books written for children are written in such a way that it bores them, and they throw it away pretty fast.

I think a good testimonial for this book is that she wants to see more books on the topics.

This is a good introduction to Python and definitely suitable for kids. I like that it is based on Python 3 rather than Python 2. It includes a good introduction to the Python Turtle graphics library and also explains how to use Python tkinter for more advanced graphics. My grandson enjoyed programming and modifying the Stick Man game. I used this book to help create the lessons for a Summer School Python programming class for Middle School students.

For any parent that has a child that is interested in computers, and especially more intricate details of programming languages, it many times can be difficult to find the correct text to any in their own learning and development. What was nice about this book was that it is written for kids to help them to better understand a programming language that they will need to know if they're going to delve deeper into programming itself. The book is written for young adults, and is very straightforward and allows the reader to understand programming on many levels. as someone that does not do a lot of programming, in reading this book I felt completely at ease at being able to understand how to use this as a resource to be able to better understand the Python programming language. Once you get beyond the basics, the book takes you even further and allows you to be able to use the basic knowledge to create and develop other more complex applications. How user-friendly the book was in general, is one of the nicest parts about this book. Filled with so much practical information, even in the most beginning the individual will learn so much. I highly recommend this for anyone that has a youngster that is trying to better understand the idea of game development as this book will open their eyes, and opened their world.

This book is fantastic. I honestly don't know why though, it's called Python for Kids. I think it should be called Python for Everyone.
The challenge my nephew had with this book, as I had with learning other languages, is that it starts off talking for the first two chapters about strings, lists, integers etc. I know this is essential but I think that you could easily start this off with the Turtle Module to get kids into it right away.
It was a struggle to get through the first two chapters with my attention span but when I got to the turtle module, I was very excited because I could literally see what my code was doing.
It is well written, entertaining, and fun.

Python for Kids: A Playful Introduction To Programming by Jason R. Briggs is a great addition to any tech families library. It approaches the Python language from a kids perspective and gives them instructions on step by step coding. Line by line. The author does a wonderful job, but I wanted to break down some of our thoughts regarding the book so you get a better idea of what to expect and about who this would work best for.

The following are our joint thoughts regarding this book:

Although the book is "for kids", we can both readily say it is definitely geared toward older child/tween/early teen years. Although our 5 year old could understand concepts when directly shown to him, this was definitely not light reading for a younger child. Ages 10-12 would probably be the best age range to start with this book, although our mature 9 year old would catch on to it rather easily.
Anyone with computer knowledge and ease with Internet usage, downloading of files and software installation could easily grasp the instructions. It would be best to have had prior experience using download features and have installed an application or program before attempting this, but if not the instructions are fairly easy to grasp. Some "geek speak" and familiarity with the concept of what programming does would help, but is not required. We did appreciate that there was a chapter included with where and how to install all needed utilities to run Python.
It is written in a very kid friendly verbiage Older kids (early teens) might find some examples a bit juvenile but would still understand and relate.
We loved the cute and simple illustrations. Something as simple as a little stick figuresque image helped make the book less "studious" and more fun for kids to look at. This is an educational book so the nice break and simple format was always welcomed.
There is a fairly nice glossary and the book was well indexed. This would come in handy especially for a younger crowd who was totally unfamiliar with programming.
Impressed with not only the "how-to" but the hands on education involved. The chapter in which the reader learns how to create their first Python based computer game was very well done. An added bonus that makes it something to look forward to for kids.
Our least favorite part of the book was that some concepts are used conversationally but if you are indeed new to programming, you may not understand without further tutelage. It's easy to write instructions that have terms you use everyday and are familiar with NOW but forget how they were not familiar "then" before you started programming with Python.

Our only real COMPLAINT: If you are teaching someone something new, you can teach them a new phrase by giving them the normal usage or correct usage for it. Teaching them in a form that will never be used is a disservice to the one being taught. There were a few instances where the terminology was used incorrectly. For instance, page 39 the author referred to the Python Dictionary or "dic" as a MAP. Although this may be common in the computer science education arena, the Python arena and programming in general this would always be referred to as a dictionary and could confuse the child. They might move on looking at other information about programming an not see the term "map" but see the terms dictionary or "dic" and be confused.

Overall this is definitely a great book to get your older child or early teen started in the Python programming community. Python being one of the simplest and easiest languages to learn, I would definitely recommend grabbing this to get started with. It's a great stepping stone for other things in the programming field. Mr. Briggs wrote a fluid and easy to read educational book that will definitely be recommended by our family to others looking to get their kids started programming. Of course our own love of Python would put this at the top of that list of suggestions!

We give the book an overall 4 star rating! Look forward to future issues and educational materials from Mr. Briggs.

Everyone should take the phrase "for kids" with more than a few grains of salt. After all, we all started with "for kids" material at some point and built up knowledge over time. Often the quickest way to gain a foothold in something is to find the most basic and non-assuming level of learning. For example, reading kids books while trying to learn a new language can greatly increase one's skill level and confidence. So no one, especially adults, should excuse starting out a new field of knowledge at the "kids" level. These same principles can apply to learning the complex nature of computer languages. Anyone would take having fun learning new concepts, complete with cartoons and thoroughly explained examples (that work!), over trudging through a turgid technical manual until one's neurons ached. The latter method usually leads to quick disinterest and dismissal of new learning, which is a tragedy for adults who seek more knowledge about the world. Learning should be fun and even adults should seek sources of learning that look fun. Enter "Python for Kids" - a book that promises fun and delivers.

So the phrase "for kids" in the title of the incredibly easy and fun computer programming book "Python for Kids" may turn off adults who think the book might sit "beneath their learning level." That remains the curse of the "for kids" phrase. Truth is, adults who know very little about computer programming would find "Python for Kids" a great place to start and to help gauge their interest level in the subject. Yes, the book includes some jokes so dumb they're funny and yes it contains cartoons and yes its approach remains extremely simplistic all the way through. So what? People of any age who want to learn computer programming, or even those looking for a bedrock introduction to the Python programming language, should look no further than this extremely easy to understand book. And of course kids will probably like it, too.

The book flies through most of the basic computer programming concepts: loops, control structures, functions, modules, classes, objects, etc. Those who already know something about these topics will probably not encounter any startling new revelations, but the book remains fun for seasoned pros nonetheless. Best of all, by book's end readers will have completed two simple games using Python and tkinter (a graphical windows library). So this book also serves as a rock bottom introduction to writing games as well. Topics such as creating graphics, sprites and collision detection also appear in the later chapters. So all of that early learning pays off in the end. And in the end the book offers suggestions for next steps. Perhaps try another language? Or stick to writing games in Python and give PyGame a try? The concepts learned in this book definitely apply to more advanced material. But this book may explain some of those concepts much clearer than "for adult" books.

Adults should not dismiss this book and curious kids should tear into it immediately. So ignore the loaded and misguided cultural connotations of "for kids" and learn something while having fun for once.

First of all, this is a very attractive, well-designed book. I have read a lot of programming books (stretching back more than 30 years to my college programming days) and this one looks better, reads better, yet has all the content of the boring books I'm used to (Kernighan and Ritchie, anyone?). There are fun drawings and lots (LOTS) of screen shots to illustrate the examples.

At over 300 pages and requiring lots of typing, this book is more appropriate for a high-schooler than a younger kid, in my view. My 12-year-old son can absorb the text, but the typing requirements are too much for him. And the sheer volume of the book is daunting to a boy that age.

The other side of the coin is that Python is an industrial strength language and can be used to develop powerful programs for people of any age. So I see "Python for Kids" as more like "Python for Programmers" but more fun.

For my son, I see this as a reference he can start working with now, but will get full use of over the years. That makes it worth the price.

My 11 year old daughter gets very excited when she programs using this book. I am so happy that she is learning a computer language. The lessons are very light in nature and are humorous. I thought this would be above her level and it is not. I would say this is for people between 9 and 15. My 11 year old does need some help making sure she typed everything correctly so it compiles correctly.

Finding an introductory book into any programming language is pretty hard since the market is pretty saturated. I would suggest that anyone (not just kids!) looking to start programming in Python start with this book.

The book is laid out clearly and provides fun examples to work with. It won't make you a pro, but it will provide a fun start into the Python language.

I have programmed in Python for a while now and read through this after it was featured on SparkFun in hopes to find a book to recommend to others, finally a book to feel comfortable suggesting to a newb!

Not just an excellent book for the young and adventurous learner, but also for the budding parent wishing to gain some insight. Well written with great bit by bit descriptions. You'll soon grasp the basics and be wanting more bits of Python. Highly recommendable.

Just my speed! New to Python, this kid-level book introduces ideas like classes in an understandable way. Good for adults, great for kids. The fun graphics throughout the book keep it light and easy to follow.

Great way to get kids started and even beginners like me to get a jump start on programming. I am currently learning this along side my 10yr old nephew and its very understandable, interactive and more importantly it keeps you entertained.

I greatly enjoyed reading this book. The book is the best I have read in its category . The topics chosen are thoughtful and offer a gentle and fun introduction to programming. Anyone can read this book and benefit greatly because it opens a door to programming to the readers of all age in such a playful way. I can see this book being used in a college level introduction to computing course.

A very comprehensive and easy to understand reference and tutorial on learning Python. We are using this in our Summer Reading Program's "Exposure to Computer Programming" segment using the Raspberry Pi ARM computer.

There is nothing special about this book that makes it interesting for kids. It reads like all the other programing books I've read over the past 30 years that are geared for adults. Some bright colors and pictures do nothing to improve the basic approach.

This book is advertised as being "for kids", however I didn't really find that to be true, although the coding examples very specifically used youthful lists (eg wizards, toads etc). At least one of the practice examples required more mathematical knowledge than a "kid" would have. The language level is also probably higher than the average "kid" would use.

However the book is brightly coloured and in a large font.

I will keep working through it and who knows, I might be a Python programmer one day!

Computer programming entails a human instructing a computer to carry out several specific tasks in a certain sequence. Providing the computer with this list of sequenced instructions requires writing a program in a highly structured programming language - a task that is not always intuitive. Hence books on computer programming tend to make for dry reading. Most people learn programming by typing and debugging their code.

Introducing children to programming will develop their skills to think logically, troubleshoot electronic devices as well as computer programs, and provide them more options to automate routine tasks. One way to start is with Python (a freeware programming language that is very similar to basic), and a programming book. Python for Kids starts off with the basics of programming and goes through object oriented programming explaining variables, data structures, arrays, conditionals, loops, subroutines, graphics interface, and morphing.

While the layout and examples are well-suited for younger readers, the text follows a more traditional programming book. Hence it is suitable as a classroom text or best supplemented with parental/programmer guidance if used outside a class setting.

I received this book as a review copy.

Shocking!! Shocking!! The "input" function is missing from the index and from the appendix of Python keywords. This is such a major mistake that I only gave one star. Otherwise I would have given 4 or 5 stars. However, this book still does provides useful information for the beginner.
The input function is very basic.
For example:
name=input('What is your name')
print('Hello ',name)