oneoflifeslollopers's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A great introduction to analytical thinking and problem solving. Follow Ruby on an adventure in which she must hunt for clues and solve puzzles with readers given insight into her thought process and how she breaks down problems into individual steps and challenges. With additional puzzles to solve at the end, this book is perfect for parents and younger readers to enjoy together.
lakesidegirl's review
4.0
Now that I’ve read this book, I think I understand coding now. It’s a great introduction to the computational thinking necessary to understand how to code for kids.
msaari's review against another edition
4.0
Charming little book. The story was ok, but the best part of the book is in the end, where you can practise thinking like a programmer. The tasks are simple, easy and helpful.
pkadams's review
2.0
Buy this book for the activities. The picture book section is problematic at best and downright confusing. However, it is a good way to teach both adults and young children about rudimentary
computational thinking. Young parents can easily find activities that they can incorporate into their daily conversations and activities with their children. Don't read the picture book to a child without pre-reading and editing it into something intelligible.
computational thinking. Young parents can easily find activities that they can incorporate into their daily conversations and activities with their children. Don't read the picture book to a child without pre-reading and editing it into something intelligible.
kendallbridgete's review
2.0
This isn't a book you read for the story--it's really more for the activities at the end. In fact, I found myself reading a chapter, flipping to the back and reading the corresponding activities, and then going back for the next chapter, and repeat.
I'm a nerd in many other ways, but computers/coding is not one of them. So this book wasn't really for me. I don't really think it has a place on my library shelf--wait, hear me out...
Yeah, it's a picture book, but the text is too difficult for it to go in the easy section. Furthermore, I don't see this as a book that the majority of my older readers will pick up to read. HOWEVER, I think that this would be a great resource for TEACHERS who are INTERESTED in coding and doing coding activities with students in their classroom. So, I would add this to my school's library collection (maybe even multiple copies), but it/they would most likely be permanently checked out to interested teachers.
So, as a book/story--2 stars (and that's being a little generous), but as a *coding resource* for primary teachers/students--4 stars.
I'm a nerd in many other ways, but computers/coding is not one of them. So this book wasn't really for me. I don't really think it has a place on my library shelf--wait, hear me out...
Yeah, it's a picture book, but the text is too difficult for it to go in the easy section. Furthermore, I don't see this as a book that the majority of my older readers will pick up to read. HOWEVER, I think that this would be a great resource for TEACHERS who are INTERESTED in coding and doing coding activities with students in their classroom. So, I would add this to my school's library collection (maybe even multiple copies), but it/they would most likely be permanently checked out to interested teachers.
So, as a book/story--2 stars (and that's being a little generous), but as a *coding resource* for primary teachers/students--4 stars.
cweichel's review against another edition
4.0
Probably 3.5 stars. This book begins with a story that I think is supposed to represent a computer program, but that aspect didn't make sense at first. The second half of the book is comprised of activities that connect to the story. These introduce readers to programming language and logical thinking. They sort of work. I had a lot of trouble with the selection section on page 92 because the examples read from right to left. At least I think they do - I could be more lost than I think. Chunks of this book took me back to my first experiences with computers when we had to punch holes in cards to get the machine to do what we wanted it to.
I brought this book to school hoping to finish it (insert hysterical laughter here) and one of my library monitors picked it up. According to him, it is a really good book, so what do I know?
I brought this book to school hoping to finish it (insert hysterical laughter here) and one of my library monitors picked it up. According to him, it is a really good book, so what do I know?
kim_ammons's review
5.0
Very cute and, I think, very effective at introducing kids (or anyone, really) to general computer/coding principles. The first 2/3 or so is a story that introduces problem-solving, and then the last 1/3 is an activity book that teaches terms and lets you try out what you've learned. Very fun, and the illustrations are adorable, too!