Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
My eleven-year-old son is really starting to get interested in learning more about computers. So when I was given the chance to review Everything You Need to Ace Computer Science and Coding in One Big Fat Notebook from Workman Publishing, I jumped at the opportunity. And when it arrived and I flipped through it, I knew it was a book he’d enjoy reading.
What Is This Book?
This book was written for kids in middle school. However, it can be easily adapted for use with kids in upper elementary school or high school. The cover is thick and sturdy, and it held up well to being thumbed through.
Inside the book, you’ll find eight units that help you to learn more about computer science and coding. Each unit is broken down into bite-sized chapters. It’s all written in kid-friendly language, designed for self-teaching. There are doodles, drawings, and diagrams to help reinforce concepts.
To help with comprehension, key words are written in bold print. There are quizzes to help ensure mastery of the topics.
As your student reads this book, they will dive into topics such as:
- Computing systems
- HTML
- Programming with Scratch – a fun program for beginners
- Loops, events, and procedures
- Web development
- Cybersecurity
- HTML
- And more
It really provides a strong foundation upon which to build more later. And best of all, it’s a book that’s fun to read. It’s really engaging and draws readers in.
How Did We Use This Book?
I surprised my son with this book on the morning part of the family left for Missouri to go volunteer at Missionary Acres. It gave him some great reading material in the car.
He read through it, and I instructed my oldest daughter to work through the questions with him after each chapter since I wasn’t there. Even though there is room for writing in the book, I asked them just to orally discuss the concepts. That way he can work through it again when he’s a little older, and answer the questions then.
My daughter enjoyed the book, and learned some new things. She really wants to look more into coding with Python when they get back home, since she’s done several projects on Scratch before.
My son is looking forward to applying his new knowledge and using the book as a reference guide to begin programming with Scratch. I’m looking forward to seeing what he creates on this kid-friendly program.
What Did We Think of This Book?
My son really enjoyed reading this book. He didn’t read it straight through, but picked different units to try. The make you own video game section was of high interest to him, so that was one of the first parts he read.
I like that the book is high-quality. It really does hold up to use like a regular notebook. The pictures are colorful and engaging, and the text is written for the intended audience. Even though it’s written for middle school aged kids, the concepts don’t seem “dumbed down.” The author did a great job of breaking down complex topics and explaining them in simple terms. I learned a few things flipping through the book, and my oldest daughter did as well.
My son says, “I liked reading this book. There were funny parts in it. I learned how to use Scratch so when I get home I’m ready to make my first game.”
If you’re looking for a fun, low-key way to teach your children more about computers, I definitely recommend this book.I know this company has books on many other subjects as well, so I’ll definitely be checking those out in the future. The American History one really piqued my interest!
