Last year for Christmas, Santa brought the girls kits that they did with my husband and ended up making their own computers that use Python to do coding. My husband is a computer programming, so he has always wanted to be able to teach my girls coding, and get them comfortable with computers and programming. And, with all the different kids coding clubs, books, summer camps and programs available, he has been looking for the perfect teaching material to use with my girls that doesn't cost a fortune, but that also has substance, and that they will actually learn from and create something like a game. We have tried several coding/programming subscription boxes for kids, but they were either boring or too basic for my girls, or you needed to pay more than the base subscription price to get sibling add-ons, additional supplies, etc., thus making them pricey investments. So,when I saw the new Code This Game! from Odd Dot Books, and imprint of Macmillan Publishing, I had to get my hands on a copy for review and to share with my husband and girls.
I knew I had found the perfect coding book when my husband started to flip through it and started to smile. He even got excited about teaching the girls using this book, which is filled with colorful and playful illustrations, that he knew would keep their attention. Throughout he course of the lessons, kids will learn coding terminology, the basics of coding in Python, and eventually will work towards creating their own personalized game.
The book is written by a computer science educator, and this is where I think some of the other kids' programming books we have looked at in the past went wrong, as they weren't written at a kid's level or the writer wasn't actually a computer program, but someone who just loved computer and writing books.
About this book
"Meg Ray's Code This Game! is a nonfiction visual guide, illustrated by Keith Zoo, that teaches young readers, 10-14, how to program and create their very own video game. Each chapter introduces key coding concepts as kids build an action strategy game in Python, an open-source programming language. The book features an innovative stand-up format that allows kids to read, program, and play their game simultaneously.
With easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, Code This Game! teaches kids to build a strategy action game called “Attack of the Vampire Pizzas!” The book also teaches how to modify the game and follow one's imagination by incorporating downloadable art assets. By the time kids finish the book, they'll have mastered basic coding concepts and created a personalized game."
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My husband just finished using the Code this Game! book with my girls as part of their homeschool programming class, and the girls were so excited to show off the game they each made, all on their own. I sat down and they demoed their games with me, and while they were doing this, shared all about what they learned, their favorite part of book, and their thoughts on coding. I could see my girls really gained a lot of knowledge with this book and fell in love with coding. Yes, they knew some basic coding from past lessons with my husband, but with the addition of this book, I could tell that they actually knew coding terminology, and could explain it to those who don't know anything about coding, and have them walking away having learned something. My girls are hoping more books like this are released so that they can continue their coding classes with their Daddy and make more fun games, and maybe an app. I will have to keep my eye out. But, in the interim, they are going to break the game they made so that they can make a new way. They are so excited about this, and I can't wait to see what new game they come up with, and try it out firsthand.
If your child has shown interest in learning to code, or has taken a class in coding at a nearby library, in school, or have read other coding books, but want to expand their knowledge to develop their own personalized game, then this new coding book is perfect for them. You can learn more about this coding book by visiting https://www.odddot.com/codethisgame.
Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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