Coding Books For Elementary – Aged Kids

Coding has become one of the most demanding jobs all over the world.

Coding will assist children in creating mobile apps designing websites and doing online marketing among other things. Their career options will expand and they may eventually start their own company. 

So, parents and schools should start teaching and encouraging kids to learn coding from a tender age .

Books are an excellent way to expand our minds and can help in enriching our knowledge. However, can children learn to code from books? Books are of course the ideal medium for teaching children to code. 

The article talks about elementary school-aged childrens coding books. To find out which books are best for teaching children to code continue reading this article. 

Top 10 Coding Books For Elementary – Aged Kids

1. My First Coding Book (Kiki Prottsman)

My first coding book was written by Kiki Prottsman Children between the ages of five and seven will benefit from this book. My First Coding Books provides engaging practical introduction to offline coding and programming. 

This book will help kids develop critical thinking, logical thinking and other skills to solidify lifelong computer literacy. It is full of puzzles mazes and games that teach the fundamentals of sequences algorithms and debugging. 

However, one of the best thing about this book is that a kid can easily acquire coding knowledge without having a computer.

A kid can quickly learn basic coding concepts like algorithms, variables, constants, debugging, and various others as the book is filled with puzzles, games, and mazes.

You can buy this book to learn coding concepts if your child is between 5 and 7 years old.

Features 

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for My First Coding Book is 5 to 7 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Kiki Prottsman
3. Year of Publication: My First Coding Book was published on 3rd Jul 2017
4. Area: Basics of coding, and fundamentals of coding.

Pros and Cons of My first Coding Book

Pros

• Detailed Learning: My first coding book has a detailed overview of coding concepts. It provides a basic understanding of coding and computer terminologies.
• Examples: My coding books contain examples that help in finding real codes and provide insights into coding concepts.
• Fundamentals: My first coding books provide in-depth details of coding programs. Allows kids to develop the basics of coding.
• Reference: My first coding book act as a reference book for beginners. This helps in understanding the concepts and fundamentals.

Cons

• Expensive: My first coding book is expensive that is for 1 book it varies from 1000 to 2000 INR. 
• Outdated Curriculum: There is a high chance that books may be outdated due to changes or updates in real software.
• Practical Exposure: My first coding book has mostly theoretical knwoledge with less practical exposure 

2. Coding Games In Scratch (Jon Woodcock)

A book written by Jon Woodcock is mainly intended for kids that allows them to understand the basic.

It provides guidelines for children to follow when creating computer games, animations and other content. Coding games. 

Scratch is a coding books that help students to learn coding with the help of games. Through coding game in scratch, children can construct single and multiplayer platforms, games puzzle, and memory games, race through mazes, add animation and more . 

It also promotes STEM education This book is mainly designed for kids who are entirely new to coding.

The best thing about this book is that it lists down all the steps on how a kid can create computer games, animations, and various others.

Features

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for coding games in scratch Book is 5 to 11 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Jon Woodcock
3. Year of Publication: Coding Games In Scratch Book was published in December 2015
4. Area: Basics of coding, and fundamentals of coding using games

Pros and Cons of Coding Games in Scratch

Pros

• Game Based Learning: This book offers game based learning where kids can understand the coding concepts. 
• Example: Coding Games in Scratch uses examples to teach students about coding concepts. 
• Better Foundation: This book has better Fondation regarding computer literacy and is best for kids who are beginners.

Cons 

• Less Text: Coding Games in Scratch has very limited coding texts. Due to this some students find it tough to understand the concepts.
• Improper Interface: The interface or text images are not appropriate, due to which students find it tough to complete their education.

3. A Beginners Guide To Coding (Marc Scott)

This book is written by Marc Scott and one of teh most simple and interesting book for students to teach then coding. This books focus on basic of Python and Scratch. This allows kids to understand concepts more easily through an interactive approach. 

This book also provides project examples and resources through which beginner students can also develop coding skills. It provides children with an enjoyable introduction to the world of coding.

The best thing about this book is that it comprises two programming languages, i.e., Scratch and Python.

Features

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for A Beginners Guide To Coding is 8 to 12 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Marc Scott
3. Year of Publication: A beginners guide to coding was published in December 2016
4. Area: Basics of coding, and fundamentals of coding, basic guide on coding

Pros and Cons of a Beginner Guide to Coding 

Pros

• Interactive: This book is very interactive and focuses on kids’ imagination. This book has illustrations and eye-catching images that allow to understand the concepts more easily.
• Advanced Language: This book provides a basic understanding of advanced languages such as Python and Scratch. 
• Easy to Understand: This book is very easy and have better illustrations of concepts through which students can understand more concepts easily.

Cons

• Expensive: This book is expensive the cost of a beginner’s guide to coding is varies between 2000 to 3000 INR.
• Complex Coding Examples: This book has complex coding examples which makes it tough for students to understand the concepts precisely.

4. Python For Kids for Dummies (Brendan Scott)

Python for kids is a book written by Brendan Scott and focuses on teaching Python language. With the help of this book a child can pick up Python quickly. This books first lesson covers the fundamentals of downloading and installing Python on a computer. 

The remaining lessons then go over the Python programming language. This book is easily understandable to children older than ten. So, if your child is more than ten years and has an interest in coding, then purchase this book to learn about the Python programming language.

Features

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for Python for Kids for Dummies is 8 to 10 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Brendan Scott
3. Year of Publication: Python for Kids for Dummies was published on 8 September 2015.
4. Area: Basics of Python, and fundamentals of Python, a basic guide on coding.

Pros and Cons of Python for Kids

Pros

• Easy: This book uses easy learning methods that allow students to learn the language as a beginner.

• Open Source: Python is open source that allows its easy accessibility. This book provides various practical examples as well.

• Illustrative: This book has lots of illustrations and graphics that allows kids to grasp more concepts.

• Fundamentals: This book teaches basic of python and its language use. This allows kids to develop more easy thoughts.

Cons

• Low text: This book has very texts which creates issues for kids to understand the concepts.

• Requires Guide: Even after implementing practical examples in this book it is required to have a instructor or guide to start coding.

5. Python In Easy Steps (Mike McGrath)

Python in easy steps is written by Mike McGrath and provides a basic understanding of Python.

This book contains colour graphics and easy learning methods that allows kids to understand the basic concept of coding.

The Python programming language is explained in such a straightforward manner that a middle schooler could easily understand it even though the book is primarily intended for children older than eleven. After reading the entire book, a kid can easily make web pages.

Features

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for Python in Easy Steps is 8 to 10 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Mike Mc Grath
3. Year of Publication: Python in Easy Steps was published on 14th July 2013.
4. Area: Basics of Python, python and its properties, and coding fundamentals.

Pros and cons of Python in Easy Steps

Pros

• Readability: This book has easy readability that allows kids to read the book without any complexes.

• Graphical Representations: This book has so many colours and images which make kids to stay engaged and understand more concepts.

• Age appropriate: This book is suitable for kids aged 5 and up. This makes it suitable to be adapted by a large number of kids.

Cons

• Low texts: This book has low texture which makes it tough for kids to understand the concepts.

• Requires Guidance: After reading this book to start coding it is required to have  a instructor or guide.

6. Coder Dojo Nano: Build Your Own Website: Create With Code

This book is an incredible book to understand the concepts of websites and helps in building you own websites. This book is written by and helps in understanding detailed concepts.

The book comprises only 96 pages and is suitable for elementary school-level kids.

A child can create a website with ease after reading this book. Kids can exactly create a website as described in this book or can create whatever they love.

Features

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for Coder Dojo is 7 to 17 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Clyder Hatter.
3. Year of Publication: Coder Dojo was published in 27th December 2016.
4. Area: Basics of website building, basics of coding and its fundamentals, website terminologies.

Pros and Cons of Coder Dojo Nano: Build your own Website: Create with Code

Pros

• Website Building: This book primarily focuses on developing websites. This book provides basic of website building.
• Illustrative: This book has illustrations that make it easy for children’s to understand the concepts through pixel art, graphics, etc.
• Beginner-friendly: This book has a friendly interface that allows kids to easily understand the texts.

Cons

• Limited: This book is limited to HTML, CSS and JavaScript. This makes it more complicated for student to engage in different aspects.

• Difficulties: This book teaches by using HTML and CSS, due to which sometimes it become tough for students to understand the concepts.

7. How To Code A Roller Coaster(Josh Funk)

Amazing book “How to Code a Roller Coaster is meant for children only and is written by Josh Funk. This book uses story mode to provide coding skills to young students. 

Kids will be able to learn coding by reading a beautiful story. Every day Pearl and her robot Pascal visited an amusement park to ride a roller coaster eat ice cream and spin tea cups. 

The book details how Pearl and Pascal have been able to keep track of ride tokens and other things thanks to coding. This book makes learning to code simple for children older than seven. 

Features

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for How to Code a Roller Coaster is 7 to 12 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Josh Funk.
3. Year of Publication: How to Code a Roller was published on 24th September  2019.
4. Area: Basics of coding, basics of coding and its fundamentals.

Pros and Cons of How to Code a Roller Coaster

Pros 

• Story Mode: This book uses story mode to provide coding skills to students through this book they can understand the concepts more easily.
• Visual Representation: This book has visual graphics that engage more kids and make them understand the topics easily.
• Examples: These books provide practical examples that allow kids to implement it in real life.

Cons

• Hard to Understand: Some students find it tough to understand the concepts as it has only limited coding terminologies.
• Less Engaging: Some students find it less engaging because it uses complex illustrations. 

8. How To Code: A Step By Step Guide To Computer Coding(Max Wainewright)

This book is written by Max Wainwright and  covers the fundamentals of coding including how to write coded messages how to give instructions and how to use Logo and Scratch to create simple graphic programs. 

The first few chapters cover the basics of coding, like variables, constants, looping, and various others. Then it introduces kids to programming languages like Python, HTML, Java, and Script.

Features

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for How to Code  is 7 to 12 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Max Wainewright.
3. Year of Publication: How to Code:  A Step by Step Guide to Computer coding was published in July 2015.
4. Area: Basics of coding, basics of python, java, html.

Pros and Cons of How to Code a Step-by-Step Guide to Computer Coding

Pros

• Use Scratch: To teach basics of coding this book uses Logo and Scratch program to create coding concepts.

• Simple: This is one of the simple book, through which students can easily learn about coding concepts.

• Fundamentals: One of the an incredible book that focuses on the fundamentals and basics of coding concepts.

Cons

• Less Popular: This book is less popular among kids, and most kids don’t want to explore this book because of its older concepts.

• Outdated: There is a high chance of outdated contexts as coding software updating at a rapid pace.

9. Coding Concept For Kids(Randy Lynn)

This is a simple book for kids written by Randy Lynn that teaches how to write simple codes, as a beginner. This book providesa detailed understanding of coding concepts and fundamentals. 

With colorful games, the book teaches children how to code. A child can rapidly learn fundamental coding concepts such as variables debugging and algorithms by completing the books activities. A kid needs a pencil to learn coding from this book.

Features

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for Coding Concept for Kids is 5 to 7 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Randy Lynn.
3. Year of Publication: Coding Concepts for Kids was published in 10th November 2020
4. Area: Basic coding concepts, debugging, and understanding algorithms.

Pros and Cons of Coding Concepts for Kids

Pros

• Abstract: This book focuses on learning to code and forces children to think abstractly and comprehend ideas that aren’t always concrete. 

• Digital Examples: This book uses digital example that allows kids to understand the coding concepts through practical exposure.

• Basic Understanding: This book focuses on the basic understanding that allows children to have proper knowledge about coding.

Cons

• Outdated: Sometimes, there is a high chance of getting outdated information on these books. 

• Requires Instructor: Even after implementing practical examples in this book it is required to have a instructor or guide to start coding.

10. Rox’s Secret Code(Nathan Archambault,Mara Lecocq)

This book is a simple coding language book that teaches students about the fundamentals of coding.

Mara Lecocq and Nathan Archambault are the authors of this book. This book uses a lovely story to explain coding. 

Rox’s father wanted her to tidy up her disorganized room and do some coding. According to the book Rox accomplished both tasks by simply programming the robot.

Later the robot lost control. So, Rox had to fix the coding to avoid further trouble.

Features

1. Suitable Age: The suitable age for Rox’s Secret Code is 7 to 10 years.
2. Author Name: This book is written by Nathan Archambault,Mara Lecocq.
3. Year of Publication: Rox’s Secret Code was published in 6th November 2018.
4. Area: Basic coding concepts, robot concepts

Pros and Cons of Rox Secret Code 

Pros 

• STEAM Development: This book focuses on STEAM development of kids through interactive approaches that covers multiple ways.

• Game Based: This book provide basic understanding by using game based initiative such as AR game, VR game.

• Interactive: This book is very interactive and focuses on kids imagination.

Cons

• Limited Languages: This book supports only limited languages which create hindrances for students to understand the learning areas.

• Practical Exposure: Rox Secret Code book has mostly theoretical knwoledge with less practical exposure

Why Coding Books are Important for Kids

As technology continues to change our world it is becoming more and more crucial to teach children to code.

Youngsters who learn to code are more likely to succeed in a variety of professions as this is the best age to start coding.

This will be better prepared to navigate a technologically advanced future and their career goals. The reasons for the importance of coding for kids are mentioned below.

• Boost Creativity: Students who learn coding in early childhood enhance their creativity. Through coding, students can understand the concepts more easily and can break down difficult problems into simpler ones. This helps them to enhance their problem-solving skills.

• Boost Memory: Coding habits boost memory power and build a sharp mind. By teaching coding to children they can develop imagination and critical thinking that helps in boosting mental health. Coding also develops brain-mapping techniques among children.

• Enhance Cognitive Skills: Coding helps in the cognitive development of kids. Implementing coding in schools helps strengthen brain power and boosts mental ability. Neurologically coding stimulates brain activities and enhances all-around development. Coding also enhances brain connectivity through visualization.

• Career Growth: Coding has become an essential part of every sector from business to healthcare, and the demand for coders and developers has also increased. Learning coding at a young age helps students to gain interest and experience. This helps them in making their future careers in the field of coding and development.

• Enhance Collaboration: Various coding software allows collaboration features that make anyone work together. By working together children can develop a sense of cooperation and this helps them in their future success. The collaborative environment also helps in developing interpersonal skills.

How to Use Coding Book Efficiently 

The effective way to implement coding is by doing practical. To effectively use a coding book it is necessary to not only read the book but also implement them into real life.

Childrens can also refer coding books for elementary to enhance their learning outcome.

Learning coding through books is one of the affordable ways that allows every kid to become a coding master. Here is how you can efficiently use a coding book.

• Read Carefully: Read every detail of the book. Read each paragraph that contains the basic fundamentals of coding. It is not preferred to directly jump to coding examples without having knowledge about the basics. Directly jumping to coding practice will cause coding failures.

• Pay Attention: While learning coding from books it is very much essential to have proper knowledge of every language. This can be learned through reading various coding books. It is also advisable that one should also read basic computer fundamentals. This allows them to have a proper understanding of technical principles.

• Start Practical: After reading coding books next step must be downloading the codes for practice. Every programming book comes with coding software that allows kids to have source code. This source code guarantees that you will see a functional example that is free of errors and other problems. 

• Start Practicing: After downloading the coding software it is essential for kids to start practicing. Regular practice of coding will help to understand every aspect of errors and help in understanding how coding works. This allows kids to develop more curiosity and enhance problem-solving abilities. 

• Master It: By regular practicing and experimenting a kid will be able to create their own apps. Working with different extensions helps children begin to see how code changes and creates an impact on applications and their usage. Developing a code through experimentation will help in mastering it.

Conclusion

Early coding instruction is crucial for kids cognitive development and future employment prospects.

From simple algorithms to programming languages like Python and Scratch the suggested coding books for elementary aged children offer an entertaining and captivating approach to learn the fundamentals of coding. 

These resources help kids become more creative and adept at solving problems while also preparing them for a world driven by technology.

Children who use these books wisely through attentive reading real-world application and regular practice can build a solid foundation in coding that will help them both academically and professionally. 

By fostering a passion for coding through these books we can equip the next generation to prosper in an increasingly digital world.

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