Hello World!: Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners

Purchased this for my almost 8 year old to start teaching him computer programming. Gave it to him today, and he loved it. It's full of cartoons and color pictures. He was having fun and giggling as he made the computer say and do different things, and then got excited about programming his first game (chapter 1). He's now staying up to read the book by the light of a Coleman lantern because I told him it's lights out time.One thing to be aware of is that the book is Python 2. I was more interested in a book to teach how to program than a specific language so this is fine for me, but if you want Python 3 this isn't for you. However, the book seems well laid out so far starting with fun stuff to get interest, doing a few chapters of actual lessons and then a programming a game that uses the lessons. It assumes no programming knowledge of any kind but for that seems fairly complete in what it covers (as least as far as the core python, don't expect an exhaustive detail of every add on package, though it does hit some guis and a little numpy).The publisher also offers the pdf free with purchase of the print book. And they have an installer on their website which installs all the packages used in the book of the same version the book used, so it's easy to make sure version differences don't slow your kiddo down (they'll need to learn to deal with those, but one thing at a time).In short, great well-written intro book for kids.

I bought this book for my eight year old son for Christmas and he loves it! He learned the basics of coding online with excellent sites/games such as Code.org and Lightbot and feels ready to learn a "real" language. The narrative in this book is well thought out and appropriate for a child (or adult) who is totally new to computer coding. It does a good job of explaining basic Python terms and concepts, such as different types of error messages and what they mean, how to create and use a variable, how to use GUIs and all sorts of cool stuff. It even provides the code for you to set up some basic games. I don't have a background in coding, but the explanations are clear and thorough enough for me to help out my son when he needs it - I even helped debug his Lunar Lander program. My son asked me to supply this review since he is so pleased with this book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is new to programming or at least middle school age kids.I am using this book to teach python to 5 middle school kids in summer vacation. As of today, we have covered up to chapter 11 and so far kids are enjoying the book.My daughter (sixth grade) and her friends had done little SCRATCH programming in their school club. So, I thought it would be a good idea to introduce them to computer programming language in summer vacation. I am an electronics engineer and have not done any programming in last 20 years. So, I looked at Java and Python and felt that it would be easy to teach Python.This is a well written book and it is very easy for kids to read and follow the book. I like that there is Test your knowledge and Try it Out section at the end of each chapter. After I teach a topic, I ask kids question from Test your knowledge and give them Try it Out as their homework.I have recommended this book to my friends to who wanted to teach programming to their kids.

Funny and easy to follow, my kid is 11 year old and he can follow alone and do the practices by himself

I got it for myself back in high school and I still refer back to it for concepts and simple project ideas.

I looked all over for a class, book or program to introduce my 10 year old nephew to programming. As I was going through reviews for other books, I noticed that Hello World! came highly recommended more than just a couple times, so I bought it. My nephew loves it! It not only teaches the programming language Python in an easy to understand way, it's also fun. In the very first chapter the reader is able to create a functioning program, and for a 10 year old, this is critical. It left him feeling proud and wanting to learn more. I highly recommend this book for kids and anyone else interested in learning about programming.

I got stuck and frustrated in the first ski game chapter where it has you type the code for the entire game. My code had errors and I swear that I had every period and semicolon, indentation and everything else in the right place.

Very clear, very thorough, paced very well. Perfect for my 12-year old son. This book introduces programming at a measured rate, discussing each topic in several ways. Python is powerful yet simple. The book does not gloss over the power in order to provide a simplified view. Instead, the book introduces concepts gradually, while giving the reader a hint of the power to come in later chapters. It is important to actually do the exercises: programming is not a spectator sport. My son would sometimes skip an exercise, then end up confused later. Having him go back and do the exercises would clear up the confusion.