The Story of Coding

by James Floyd Kelly

Discover the history of computers and coding, from Ada Lovelace's initial idea of computer programming to today's coding languages like Scratch, Python, Javascript, and more, in this Level 2 nonfiction reader featuring photographs, diagrams, fun facts, and strong visual clues.

What exactly is a computer? How do they work? What is a code? What are the different coding languages and how are the used today? The Story of Coding, written by GeekDad's James Floyd Kelly, will explore it all, while also building reading skills and teaching exciting vocabulary.

Perfect for 5-7 year olds beginning to read fluently with support, Level 2 titles contain carefully selected photographic images to complement the text, providing strong visual clues to build vocabulary and confidence. Additional information spreads are full of extra fun facts, developing the topics through a range of nonfiction presentation styles such as diagrams and activities.

Series Overview: Trusted by parents, teachers, and librarians, and loved by kids, DK's leveled reading series is now revised and updated. With shiny new jackets and brand-new nonfiction narrative content on the topics kids love, each book is written and reviewed by literacy experts and contains a glossary and index, making them the perfect choice for helping develop strong reading habits for kids ages 3-11.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, Technology, Coding, Childrens, Computers

48 pages, Hardcover

Published June 6, 2017

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild idea! These days, some readers of this book could have better coding skills... than they have reading skills.

This Goodreads reviewer is just the opposite, though. So I found it fascinating to survey the history of computers and coding. Highlights here were:

* "Computer programs are called code. Code is a set of instructions for a computer to follow."
I didn't know that. Mighty vague have my ideas been!

* How Ada Lovelace became the world's first computer programmer.

* Computers have changed so much over the years.

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE FIRST COMPUTER BUG WAS, LITERALLY, A BUG?

"In 1947, a moth trapped in a computer
caused the computer to make mistakes.
It as the first computer bug."

FIVE STARS for a book that can help readers to calm down and learn useful things about computers. (This Go0dreads reviewer included.)

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well explain! This is a good book to read first when children become interested in computers.

Computers are used in every aspect of our daily life, such as smartphones, televisions, and elevators, and are very useful in our daily lives.

I was surprised because I didn't know that the first computer programmer to work as an Analytical Engine in the mid-1800s was a woman named Ada Lovelace.

The first computer "ENIAC" was able to handle different tasks.

It was large enough to fill a room, but eventually computers became smaller and smaller as they took the form of chips.

In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web.
I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of world the world will become as AI rapidly spreads.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this kids book as I’m currently learning to code and I’ve been reading every resource I can find. I have also been posting about my coding journey so I wanted to see if this book could be a recommendation for the coding parents out there. Whilst there is some good basic info in here, I thought it didn’t cover enough. There wasn’t enough in here to spark an interest in a child’s brain, in my opinion.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seems more advanced than the beginning to read level it is marked as. That said, it does a great job of explaining what code is and how it evolved through history. There were a few places where I had trouble understanding what was being said, but overall I thought it was a great book on coding.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's actually not bad. Places things in the most basic of basic terms. Had more information than I thought it would. Did not go into a lot of detail, but now I want to go more in depth into a few of the programming languages.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction for children on computer terms and coding principles.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it.
Quick enough, blend of facts and interesting pictures
Chunked up by small chapters

Recommend adding this to a library- addresses Python and Scratch as well

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know about "Level 2" but this is a great introduction to coding and computers. Love you, DK.

[Omar Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coding is not just typing letters. Find out what it is about.

[Pam]

Great intro to coding for about a 2nd grader!

[Tue Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid guide to computers for primary schoolchildren. This is a good addition to a school or public library.

[Michelle Vanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Informational book tells the story of coding starting from when the first computers were invented and influential technology leading up to coding. It also includes different uses of coding, coding of today, Scratch coding for kids, tips and quiz's. It's a kid friendly book with history, facts, and images included.

[Liz]

Great little introductory book about the history and basic elements of computer coding.