Programming books for Children: 9 - 11 age group
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
Book? How very 20th century of you! Have you seen Blocky?[^] It's a block based programming interface - I haven't played with it too much, but I admire the way they lead youngsters into it. The good thing is it's not a language, so they start learning the skills without the need to learn a language - but it can be used to generate code for python or javascript. I figure a great introduction, and so much more fun than a book ...
MVVM # - I did it My Way ___________________________________________ Man, you're a god. - walterhevedeich 26/05/2011 .\\axxx (That's an 'M')
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
It's tricky. Most of the material aimed at any sort of beginner (not just kids) is dumbed down to the point where it insults the reader's intelligence. On the other hand, most material not aimed at beginners is a little advanced for someone who's actually a beginner. Anyway, does he need a book? He could just find everything on the internet, right? That's what I did.
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
http://smallbasic.com/[^]. It's not a book, although there probably are some written on it, but Small Basic is good. They have lots of walk-throughs and tutorials.
There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
Not a book, but might be fun for your child : http://learn.code.org/hoc/1[^]
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
Kahn Academy programming course[^] Really good online course for javascript, gamified and completely free. Not my favorite language, but I would still definitely recommend to start there because it has the best quality you can offer a kid for free; also the same site has an impressive mathematics course. Youtube channel: Computerphile[^] Applied computer science explained on a conceptual level; good introduction to learn more about all sorts of things. Then I guess it depends if he/she wants to be an 'inventor' (Arduino[^]) or a 'video game designer' (GameMaker Studio[^]).
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
This old collection looks OK. http://tedfelix.com/books/[^] But why only books? Please check second link in my signature.
thatraja
Code converters | Education Needed No thanks, I am all stocked up. - Luc Pattyn When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is - Henry Minute
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
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This old collection looks OK. http://tedfelix.com/books/[^] But why only books? Please check second link in my signature.
thatraja
Code converters | Education Needed No thanks, I am all stocked up. - Luc Pattyn When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is - Henry Minute
I actually read the "Danny Dunn" series when I was a kid.
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
How about this free ebook? C# for sharp kids[^]
========================================================= I'm an optoholic - my glass is always half full of vodka. =========================================================
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AntMe! is a great book to learn c# and vb. I had it when i was 10 years old. You are learning Basics, so no really really deep digging. But you are programming while "playing". Check it out, maybee it fits your requirements :)
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HobbyProggy wrote:
AntMe! is a great book to learn c# and vb. I had it when i was 10 years old.
Oh boy, I feel really old now.
SG Aham Brahmasmi!
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
I don't know any particular book but there is a programming lanugage called LOGO from the department of computer science of the ETH Zurich which might be interesting for you and your children. This is the department where Niklaus Wirth used to work (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niklaus_Wirth[^]) Here an article in English: https://www1.ethz.ch/inf/news/spotlight/ferienpass/index[^] Learning a specific language is one thing but learning to analyse a problem and come up with a program to solve it is usually not done by just learning a language. Here a script in English: http://abz.inf.ethz.ch/media/archive1/unterrichtsmaterialien/primarschulen\_stufe\_sek\_1/logo\_heft\_en.pdf However, have a look and have fun!
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
There are a couple of pretty good books from Pragmatic Programmers: 3D Game Programming for Kids[^] That one is in JavaScript. The second is a 'Beta' book, so not complete yet, but they let you download it while it's being written: Learn to Program with Minecraft Plugins[^] That one is in Java. I've got both in my shopping cart right now...just holding out for a holiday coupon!
I have always wished for my computer to be as easy to use as my telephone; my wish has come true because I can no longer figure out how to use my telephone - Bjarne Stroustrup The world is going to laugh at you anyway, might as well crack the 1st joke! My code has no bugs, it runs exactly as it was written.
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.
Get the game "Robot Turtles". The kickstarter has expired, but there are games available starting today at [^]
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any good recommendations for programming books for children. I want to get my son into programming as he shows an interest in it, but most books are a little dry due to the target market. I grew up using Usbourne books teaching Basic, with the book showing a listing and then various minor corrections for the BBC, Vic20, Apricot, Spectrum & CBM - which I then had to correct to make them work on an Amstrad CPC. However, these aren't really that viable these days... Anyway enough nostalgia - I'm not too fussed whether it is PHP, Java, C#, Python, etc. I do have a Raspberry Pi so I thought Python might be a good bet as he could transfer the programs from the laptop to the Pi. I must add that is a Windows 8 laptop, just in case that influences any answers. Apologies if this topic has already been covered in a thread elsewhere, but I couldn't find one talking about programming books. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Adrian Breaking code since '85.