Teach Your Kids to Code: A Parent-Friendly Guide to Python Programming Paperback – April 1, 2015

Bought this book for several reasons. First, I've been meaning to add Python to my language arsenal for a while now. Second, it should make for a nice learning language for the kids based on what I've read and heard about the language. I've been a computer nerd for over 20 years now. Both my kids have their own PC clones (showing my age with just that comment). All three of our computers are "frankenstien" boxes with used, upgraded, and traded parts. They enjoyed learning about the inner working of the machine hardware. This should be another great adventure learning about software.I chose this book because Mr. Payne was one of my first computer science teachers in college back in 2001. His teaching style adds layers of complexity so that you don't feel overwhelmed and it all just starts to make sense. Thumbing through the book, I can see he's applied that same principle here.I'm looking forward to what the kids think about it. I'll update this review after we've gone through it. I'll probably struggle with keeping this one for the bookshelf or passing it along to my nephews.

This book is very well structured, written and visually appealed. It is evident that Dr. Payne knows this business and how to communicate complex ideas and concepts in simple language.This book is called "Teach your kids to code" but I think that is misleading. It should be called "Teach everyone to code". I am a grown-up, in age not in spirit, and I learned the basics of Python from this book and from his outstanding Udemy course with the same name.It is recommended for kids ages 9+ (and their parents) and I subscribe this recommendation. It will be difficult for younger kids to follow this book and perform the projects.Dr. Payne says in his TED talk that "Coding is not the goal, coding is the gateway". This book can be your and your child gateway to be a problem solver through a coder mindset!I am looking forward to reading more books from Dr. Payne and to learn more about coding!

A word of warning to teachers using this book. Make sure you are running Python 3.x (3.0-3.5.0) otherwise some the code will not run and you will get errors. For example the code examples in the first chapter using the input will not work in Python 2.7 unless it is changed to raw_input. The author assumes all readers will be using the Python 3.0-3.5.0.

Although aimed toward a "younger" audience, this is a great book for all age-groups. The chapters are reasonably short, the examples clear, and the layout attractive. It covers all of the basic Python statements and practices and includes lots of hands-on exercises. On the negative side, most of the examples are built around "graphics" which would appeal to younger adults but probably not older adults. Overall, a very good book!

I develop mobile applications, and program all day long. My daughter is 11, and wanted to get into programming. After some research, I found this book. It is an excellent guide, and extremely readable. It breaks code down to basic elements to teach children. My daughter sat down and started reading and doing these exercises as soon as we downloaded it onto her kindle. She loved it! She has worked through the whole book in just a few weeks! I would recommend this to any parent who was looking to develop coding and programming skills in children.

Not only can my 9 year old work the exercises, he can read and understand the writing all by himself, with help. I wouldn't say it's self-guided for a fourth-grade level reader. However, this book provided me, a patient parent who knows a little about coding, an opportunity to discuss a topic I'm passionate about with my kid.

Easy to read, without Making your kids feeling dumb. Needs a little more coding walk thoughs, but a really great start

My son learned scratch programming all last year. This was a great next step (he is 10 and homeschooling in the 4th grade). He really enjoys the graphical and interactive programs he's writing in Python. I like that he is learning with a real, marketable language. It is very kid-friendly, with easy-to-follow instructions and code samples.