Python Programming for Beginners: A Kid's Guide to Coding Fundamentals

by Patricia Foster

Think like a programmer with this fun beginner’s guide to Python for ages 10 to 14

Kids can learn to code with the power of Python! Python Programming for Beginners is the perfect way to introduce aspiring coders to this simple and powerful coding language. This book teaches kids all about Python and programming fundamentals—and is packed full of fun and creative activities that make learning a blast!

In Python Programming for Beginners, kids will start off with the basics, learning all about fundamental coding concepts and how they can put these concepts together in Python to build their own games and programs. Each chapter focuses on a different coding concept—like variables, data types, and loops—and features three awesome coding activities to try. These activities get more difficult as they go, so young coders can see just how much their skills are growing. By the end of Python Programming for Beginners, they’ll create their own fully functional sci-fi game and crack the code to a secret message!

Python Programming for Beginners

No coding experience needed!—Designed just for kids, this Python programming book is filled with step-by-step directions, simple explanations, and detailed code breakdowns. Build a coding toolbox—Kids will build their programming skills, learn how to troubleshoot bugs with a handy bug-hunting guide, and practice their Python programming knowledge with cool activities. Why Python programming?—Python is an awesome starting language for kids! It’s a powerful programming language that can be used for lots of projects but features simple syntax so beginners can focus on learning programming logic.

Set kids up for a lifetime of programming success with Python Programming for Beginners .

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2020

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Python Programming for Beginners: A Kid's Guide to Coding Fundamentals has a target audience of ages 10-14, but I would definitely recommend it for adults new to coding as well. The author has a good way of connecting to her readers, by explaining rather than "talking down". The explanations on how to think through what needs to be in the code, how to identify any potential problems, and how to fix bugs that inevitably pop up are especially good. The author teaches how to get set up with Python and explains what certain types of code do, how to write them, and how to use the information to write a simple game.

Additionally, there are two more advanced projects, along with some suggestions of coding to try independently. I am definitely well beyond the target audience age group, but I was surprised as to how much I both learned and enjoyed Python Programming for Beginners. This book will absolutely serve as inspiration to many, especially those who love computers and want to learn more than just the basics.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Python Programming for Beginners: A Kid's Guide to Coding Fundamentals by the publisher. The choice to review this book was my own.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Python Programming for Beginners" teaches the process of coding, specifically how to code in Python. It's targeted at ages 10 through 14 and it's explained clearly enough that it should be understandable to that age range, but it's also useful for adults who want to learn the basic concepts of coding. The author did a good job of showing how to think through what needs to be in the code and how to identify the problem and fix bugs that happen in the code. She taught how to get set up with Python and explained what a certain type (variables, data types, loops, etc.) of code does, how to write it so that it will work, and then showed step-by-step how to use it by coding a simple animation or game. She then walked you through two more projects, each involving progressively more advanced coding, as well as suggested some changes that the reader might try by themselves. By the end, I felt like I finally understood the basics of coding and that I could use Python to create from scratch, not just copy and modify the game code in the book. (I'm an adult, BTW.) Overall, I'd highly recommend this book.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

[Cary Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Python Programming For Beginners by Patricia Foster is an excellent introduction to Python programming for children ages 10 to 14, and even adults, like me, who sometimes need things dumbed down a bit for them. I found the book to be well-written and easy to follow. It did a good job of explaining the sometimes complex inner workings of coding into really simple concepts by relating them to things kids already understand, like ice cream, kittens, and jellybeans.

Although perhaps not as thorough as I'd like, as an adult looking into a new programming language, I think for young children/teens, this is a good resource for teaching them to think like a programmer and get them started in making their own programs and games.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some ideas would work with graduate students.

[Neha Saini · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was ok one time read for my daughter. Author has put lot of efforts some important concept were missing.