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Python for Kids, 2nd Edition

A Playful Introduction to Programming

Author Jason R. Briggs
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Paperback
$34.99 US
No Starch | No Starch Press
7"W x 9.25"H x 1.02"D  
On sale Nov 15, 2022 | 368 Pages | 9781718503021
Grade 5 & Up
Reading Level: Lexile 1130L
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The second edition of the best-selling Python for Kids—which brings you (and your parents) into the world of programming—has been completely updated to use the latest version of Python, along with tons of new projects!

Python is a powerful programming language that’s easy to learn and fun to use! But books about programming in Python can be dull and that’s no fun for anyone.

Python for Kids brings kids (and their parents) into the wonderful world of programming. Jason R. Briggs guides you through the basics, experimenting with unique (and hilarious) example programs featuring ravenous monsters, secret agents, thieving ravens, and more. New terms are defined; code is colored and explained; puzzles stretch the brain and strengthen understanding; and full-color illustrations keep you engaged throughout. 

By the end of the book, you’ll have programmed two games: a clone of the famous Pong, and “Mr. Stick Man Races for the Exit”—a platform game with jumps and animation.

This second edition is revised and updated to reflect Python 3 programming practices. There are new puzzles to inspire you and two new appendices to guide you through Python’s built-in modules and troubleshooting your code.

As you strike out on your programming adventure, you’ll learn how to:

  • Use fundamental data structures like lists, tuples, and dictionaries  
  • Organize and reuse your code with functions and modules
  • Use control structures like loops and conditional statements 
  • Draw shapes and patterns with Python’s turtle module
  • Create games, animations, and other graphical wonders with tkinter

Why should serious adults have all the fun? Python for Kids is your ticket into the amazing world of computer programming.

Covers Python 3.x which runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, even Raspberry Pi
Jason Briggs has been a programmer since the age of eight, when he first learned BASIC on a Radio Shack TRS-80. Since then he has written software professionally as a developer and systems architect and served as Contributing Editor for Java Developer's Journal. His articles have appeared in JavaWorld, ONJava and ONLamp.
Jason R. Briggs View titles by Jason R. Briggs
Introduction
Part I: Learning to Program
Chapter 1: Not All Snakes Slither
Chapter 2: Calculations and Variables
Chapter 3: Strings, Lists, Tuples, and Dictionaries
Chapter 4: Drawing with Turtles
Chapter 5: Asking Questions with if and else
Chapter 6: Going Loopy
Chapter 7: Recycling Your Code with Functions and Modules
Chapter 8: How to Use Classes and Objects
Chapter 9: More Turtle Graphics
Chapter 10: Using tkinter for Better Graphics
Part II: Bounce
Chapter 11: Beginning Your First Game: Bounce!
Chapter 12: Finishing Your First Game: Bounce!
Part III: Mr. Stickman Races for the Exit
Chapter 13: Creating Graphics for the Mr. Stickman Game
Chapter 14: Developing the Mr. Stickman Game
Chapter 15: Creating Mr. Stickman
Chapter 16: Completing the Mr. Stickman Game
Afterword
Appendix A: Python Keywords
Appendix B: Python's Built-in Functions
Appendix C: Troubleshooting
"A book designed to bring coding with Python to life for kids. . . . Briggs breaks down terminology into simple terms and offers explanations for what your child will be doing [to] help them apply their skills to real-life situations."
—Amy Boyington, Parenting and Family Lifestyle Writer

“If you’re completely new to programming, this would be a fantastic book to get started with.”
—The Security Noob

"Fun and effective, [Python for Kids] is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family, middle school, high school, and community library Computer instructional reference collections."
—Midwest Book Review
Interior Spread
Interior Spread
Interior Spread
Interior Spread
Interior Spread

About

The second edition of the best-selling Python for Kids—which brings you (and your parents) into the world of programming—has been completely updated to use the latest version of Python, along with tons of new projects!

Python is a powerful programming language that’s easy to learn and fun to use! But books about programming in Python can be dull and that’s no fun for anyone.

Python for Kids brings kids (and their parents) into the wonderful world of programming. Jason R. Briggs guides you through the basics, experimenting with unique (and hilarious) example programs featuring ravenous monsters, secret agents, thieving ravens, and more. New terms are defined; code is colored and explained; puzzles stretch the brain and strengthen understanding; and full-color illustrations keep you engaged throughout. 

By the end of the book, you’ll have programmed two games: a clone of the famous Pong, and “Mr. Stick Man Races for the Exit”—a platform game with jumps and animation.

This second edition is revised and updated to reflect Python 3 programming practices. There are new puzzles to inspire you and two new appendices to guide you through Python’s built-in modules and troubleshooting your code.

As you strike out on your programming adventure, you’ll learn how to:

  • Use fundamental data structures like lists, tuples, and dictionaries  
  • Organize and reuse your code with functions and modules
  • Use control structures like loops and conditional statements 
  • Draw shapes and patterns with Python’s turtle module
  • Create games, animations, and other graphical wonders with tkinter

Why should serious adults have all the fun? Python for Kids is your ticket into the amazing world of computer programming.

Covers Python 3.x which runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, even Raspberry Pi

Author

Jason Briggs has been a programmer since the age of eight, when he first learned BASIC on a Radio Shack TRS-80. Since then he has written software professionally as a developer and systems architect and served as Contributing Editor for Java Developer's Journal. His articles have appeared in JavaWorld, ONJava and ONLamp.
Jason R. Briggs View titles by Jason R. Briggs

Table of Contents

Introduction
Part I: Learning to Program
Chapter 1: Not All Snakes Slither
Chapter 2: Calculations and Variables
Chapter 3: Strings, Lists, Tuples, and Dictionaries
Chapter 4: Drawing with Turtles
Chapter 5: Asking Questions with if and else
Chapter 6: Going Loopy
Chapter 7: Recycling Your Code with Functions and Modules
Chapter 8: How to Use Classes and Objects
Chapter 9: More Turtle Graphics
Chapter 10: Using tkinter for Better Graphics
Part II: Bounce
Chapter 11: Beginning Your First Game: Bounce!
Chapter 12: Finishing Your First Game: Bounce!
Part III: Mr. Stickman Races for the Exit
Chapter 13: Creating Graphics for the Mr. Stickman Game
Chapter 14: Developing the Mr. Stickman Game
Chapter 15: Creating Mr. Stickman
Chapter 16: Completing the Mr. Stickman Game
Afterword
Appendix A: Python Keywords
Appendix B: Python's Built-in Functions
Appendix C: Troubleshooting

Praise

"A book designed to bring coding with Python to life for kids. . . . Briggs breaks down terminology into simple terms and offers explanations for what your child will be doing [to] help them apply their skills to real-life situations."
—Amy Boyington, Parenting and Family Lifestyle Writer

“If you’re completely new to programming, this would be a fantastic book to get started with.”
—The Security Noob

"Fun and effective, [Python for Kids] is an ideal and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, family, middle school, high school, and community library Computer instructional reference collections."
—Midwest Book Review

Photos

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Interior Spread
Interior Spread
Interior Spread
Interior Spread

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