Coding for Kids

An Easy Guide to Help Children Learn the ABCs of Computer Code

By: Manny Sullivan

Narrated by: Ashleigh Binder

Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Can’t tell the difference between a cup of Java and JavaScript?

Want to teach your toddler to be tech savvy?

Don’t worry; this guide’s just for your family!

Technology continues to improve at a breakneck pace. So even grown-ups have trouble keeping track of all those lines of code, and ones and zeros.

But fear not! This Coding for Kids audiobook provides lessons, upon lessons, to help your child improve, and learn the ropes.

Inside, you’ll learn valuable skills such as:

• Basic Terminologies and Definitions
• Programming Language
• Javascript and Python
• Variables and Constants
• Source Codes
• Even how to code games, such as Pong and Tetris, on HTML, and CSS!

Whether you’re a kid, or have kids of your own, it’s never too late to learn the basics of computer programming.

Learn today, code tomorrow.

©2022 Manny Sullivan (P)2022 Manny Sullivan

Good idea, wrong format?

Full disclaimer: I love programming, and I have been working in Silicon Valley for the past 23 years, so why only 4 stars? Because I think that the intentions of the book are great - introducing kids to programming - but the medium - an audiobook - is not the best way to get there.
Let me clarify: first of all, this audiobook is meant for parents that want to help their kids learn how to code, i.e. it is not meant to be listened to directly by the children.
Overall this audiobook lasts for about 3h 24' and the second chapter consists of 11 plus minutes of definitions and it is very very boring. The author warns the listeners that the definitions are likely not so interesting to the children, but that the parents need to at least have a basic understanding of them; the problem is that in 11 minutes at about one definition every 12-15 seconds, results in about 50 definitions being read out loud in the driest possible way, that is following alphabetical order. So the author starts at algorithm and continues with array: the former being a fairly high level concept and the latter a data structure commonly taught in Computer Science classes. Even though the author makes an effort to explain the terms well, I cannot imagine that a person that is not intimately familiar with the subject would remember anything at all: this is important, because it is likely that a parent that does not know much about computers would want to listen to this book before attempting to teach the subject to his or her children; people like me wouldn't need to listen to this, because we already know all of these terms and much more; in particular, we had the advantage to actually trying to program systems that use those very concepts. Unfortunately, a dry list like that would be like to try to teach martial arts to an adult via an audiobook: one would be able to communicate the philosophy, but what if the audiobook started teaching dozens of - say - Japanese words, and then in the later chapters, tried to explain the listeners how to position their body to perform a certain technique? It probably wouldn't work too well.
The chapters that follow are less dry and more interesting to your average well-intentioned parent, but again, at times the author tries to teach lines of code to the listeners, spelling them word per word, and sometimes character per character, and frankly I cannot imagine that anyone would be able to get anything from this. I believe that this same content in a more traditional book-made-of-paper format would be a much better fit, or maybe a set of video tutorials where the parents can hear and see how things work.
As it is right now, I cannot recommend this audiobook to any but the most tenacious of parents.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Exciting Coding Adventures Await

"An exceptional audiobook that introduces coding to kids in a way that is engaging and accessible. The activities and challenges are well-designed, allowing kids to practice their coding skills while having fun. It's an excellent resource for parents and educators looking to inspire and empower young learners in the world of coding."

Ignite Coding Creativity

"A captivating audiobook that introduces coding to kids in an interactive and enjoyable way. The examples and exercises are well-structured, making it easy for young learners to understand and apply coding concepts. This audiobook sparks curiosity and develops problem-solving skills, setting kids on the path to becoming skilled coders."

Interactive Coding Adventures

"A brilliant audiobook that teaches kids the fundamentals of coding. The content is well-organized, and the examples are easy to follow. It's a great resource for kids to learn programming concepts and develop logical thinking skills. Highly recommended for parents who want to introduce their children to the world of coding."

Unlocking Coding Potential

"An invaluable audiobook for young aspiring coders. The content is well-structured, and the explanations are easy to follow. The audiobook strikes the perfect balance between theory and practice, offering a hands-on learning experience. It's a great resource for parents and educators looking to introduce coding to kids in a fun and accessible way."

Creative Coding for Kids

"A wonderful audiobook that introduces coding to kids through interactive exercises and engaging examples. The explanations are clear, and the pacing is just right for young learners. It's an excellent resource for parents looking to foster their child's interest in programming and lay a solid foundation in coding skills."

Coding Journey for Kids

"A captivating audiobook that takes kids on an exciting journey into the world of coding. The explanations are clear, and the examples are relatable, making it easy for young learners to grasp coding concepts. This audiobook nurtures creativity and critical thinking skills, setting kids up for future success in programming."

Unleash Your Coding Potential

"A comprehensive audiobook that covers the basics of coding in a way that is fun and engaging for kids. The hands-on projects and interactive challenges provide an excellent opportunity for young learners to practice their coding skills. Highly recommended for parents and educators interested in introducing coding to children."

Learn Coding with Fun

"A comprehensive audiobook that introduces coding to kids in a fun and interactive way. The audiobook covers a wide range of coding concepts and provides practical exercises to reinforce learning. It's a valuable resource for parents and educators looking to inspire kids' interest in coding and develop their computational thinking skills."

Coding Play for Kids

"An outstanding audiobook that demystifies coding for young learners. The step-by-step instructions and interactive exercises make it easy for kids to grasp programming concepts. This audiobook is a must-have resource for parents and educators looking to ignite a passion for coding in children."