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Kids Get Coding #6
Programming Games and Animation
Do you know how your favorite video game works? Computer instructions called code bring the characters, challenges, and stories in the game to life. Learn what animation is and how it works. Discover how games are designed, coded, and tested. Then try it out for yourself! Use the link in this book to complete fun online activities. Self-directed projects and activities help kids learn the basics of coding.
- GenresNonfictionMiddle Grade
24 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 24, 2017
I love finding coding books that appeal to different age groups and that get kids interested in coding. I had a lot of hope for Programming Games and Animation from the Kids Get Coding series, but this book fell flat.
First, the web address in the book takes you to a page where the links associated with this book say, "Sorry... There's nothing here!" so any of the activities the book describes can't actually be completed. If I was a kid, I would be devastated.
Second, the book does do a good job of helping kids plan out a maze-type game and thinking through different scenarios, but the "coding" they show doesn't translate into other commonly used types of coding I've seen. Perhaps it is exactly what kids need for the maze-building website that has a broken link and is thus inaccessible? But as it currently is, if kids read this book, they would not be able to apply their knowledge to other coding formats.
Last, the book covers several coding topics but uses a rubber duck called "Data Duck" as its mascot. Even when the duck wears sunglasses, it's still too juvenile for the target audience. Upper Elementary kids who are excited to learn to code want to be challenged, not infantilized. Again, I had a lot of hope for this book, but your money would be better spent elsewhere.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
First, the web address in the book takes you to a page where the links associated with this book say, "Sorry... There's nothing here!" so any of the activities the book describes can't actually be completed. If I was a kid, I would be devastated.
Second, the book does do a good job of helping kids plan out a maze-type game and thinking through different scenarios, but the "coding" they show doesn't translate into other commonly used types of coding I've seen. Perhaps it is exactly what kids need for the maze-building website that has a broken link and is thus inaccessible? But as it currently is, if kids read this book, they would not be able to apply their knowledge to other coding formats.
Last, the book covers several coding topics but uses a rubber duck called "Data Duck" as its mascot. Even when the duck wears sunglasses, it's still too juvenile for the target audience. Upper Elementary kids who are excited to learn to code want to be challenged, not infantilized. Again, I had a lot of hope for this book, but your money would be better spent elsewhere.
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
October 17, 2017
This book offers a short introduction to block style coding and walks readers through the process of creating a simple maze using arrows to navigate and the introduction of a scoring system, a villain, and level-ups adds appeal to the budding game designer. The author attempts to write a general introduction to designing computer games using code, which is hard to do! A more appropriate title for this book would be "Kids Get Coding: Learn to Animate a Maze" because although some coding concepts that can be applied broadly are introduced, young readers who want to build a maze will enjoy this book. Those who are hoping to do anything else with the instructions found in this book will be disappointed. Because this book includes many hallmark nonfiction features, it could serve as a high-interest title for students learning to use the table of contents, glossary, and index.
Overall, this would be an good choice for elementary school readers who would like to build a maze after having been introduced to Scratch programming by an instructor or parent.
Overall, this would be an good choice for elementary school readers who would like to build a maze after having been introduced to Scratch programming by an instructor or parent.
December 19, 2017
Lyons, Heather Programming Games and Animation (Kids get coding) 24 pgs. Lerner, 2017. $20.
This book explains how to design a game –in this case a maze game. There are lots of stop and try activities on paper, answers in the back of the book, and definitions. The book describes the steps of planning, including adding a challenge or villain, and ends with debugging. There are cartoon illustrations and bright layouts.
I am very disappointed with this series. This book does not reference a free program that students can download and try on their own. It does have a couple simple activities on a very basic website, but they aren’t actual coding. You’d be better of putting your students on Scratch or Tynker or Hour of Code Activities. There are many great coding books, this series just isn’t one of them. I recommend the How to Code series by Max Wainewright instead.
EL(K-3) -NO. Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
This book explains how to design a game –in this case a maze game. There are lots of stop and try activities on paper, answers in the back of the book, and definitions. The book describes the steps of planning, including adding a challenge or villain, and ends with debugging. There are cartoon illustrations and bright layouts.
I am very disappointed with this series. This book does not reference a free program that students can download and try on their own. It does have a couple simple activities on a very basic website, but they aren’t actual coding. You’d be better of putting your students on Scratch or Tynker or Hour of Code Activities. There are many great coding books, this series just isn’t one of them. I recommend the How to Code series by Max Wainewright instead.
EL(K-3) -NO. Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
November 8, 2017
The process of programming games and simple animation is clearly explained in a manner similar to the Scratch gaming process in this book. The descriptions and illustrations are straight-forward; however, there is little "wow" factor. Overall, the information in this book would probably come across better as a web interactive rather than a print book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews