To set the record straight I am a long time career software engineer. I've done it all, just about. I picked up this book after noticing that my company uses it for a K-8 introductory course in learning Python. It really is quite a good book for that purpose! (I say this unbiasedly) If you have a child interested in programming this is a good place to start. If the child is younger you may wish to sit down with them and go thru the book together. Whether you know programming or not! You both can learn together in this gentle but satisfying introduction.