Kids love books, especially picture books. If you would like to introduce your kids to coding and computers, we've found some beautifully illustrated books, which will keep them reading for hours.
Computers and coding are important subjects for kids to learn in this digital age. Many schools now offer computing as part of their curriculum. At Tech Age Kids we like to find fun and engaging books for young kids to learn about coding and computers.
Coding for Beginners Using Scratch
Coding for Beginners teaches kids to code using Scratch, a hugely popular block-based programming tool for kids. It's an introduction for beginners showing kids how to use code to create games and animations. It's fun and accessible for even the youngest readers.
Author: Jonathan Melmoth, Rosie Dickins, Louie Stowell
Age: 8+
Also See: Super Scratch Coding Adventure ReviewLift-the-flap Computers and Coding
Lift the Flap Computers and Coding is a fantastic book to introduce kids to how a computer works. There are lots of flaps to lift and facts to read. The book is bright and fun with games and activities dotted around. A definite recommendation from Tech Age Kids.
Author: Rosie Dickins
Age: 6+Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding
Hello Ruby - Adventures in Coding is a beautifully illustrated book for young children and tells a story of a little girl (Ruby) who goes on an adventure and meets lots of new friends. The story and characters are all about coding and computers, which a child may not at first realise. There are also great activities and projects included in the book.
Author: Linda Liukas
Age: 5+
Also See: Hello Ruby ReviewHello Ruby: Journey Inside the Computer
**NEW for 2017**
Hello Ruby - Journey Insider the Computer is an activity picture book which takes children on a journey inside Ruby's dad's broken computer to discover everything that lies within. Her trusty friend, Mouse helps her discover the hardware, bits and logic gates learning about the basic elements that power our computers. We're big fans of the Hello Ruby series and believe they should feature on more home bookshelves.
Author: Linda Liukas
Age: 5+
Also See: Hello Ruby ReviewKids Get Coding Series
Algorithms and Bugs (Kids Get Coding) is one of a series of books about coding for young children. There are now ?? books in the series, including A Beginner's Guide to Our Digital World, A World of Programming, Learn to Program and Online Safety for Coders.
**New for 2017**
Heather Lyons hooked up with Alex Westgate and produced 3 more books Programming Awesome Apps, Coding to Create and Communicate and Coding in the Real World.
Author: Heather Lyons, Elizabeth Tweedale, Alex Westgate
Age: 6+The Official Scratch Junior Book
The Official ScratchJr Book is the perfect companion to this free app and makes coding easy and fun for all. Kids learn to program by connecting blocks of code to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing.
ScratchJr is a free, introductory computer programming language that runs on iPads and Android tablets. Inspired by Scratch, the wildly popular programming language used by millions of children worldwide, ScratchJr helps even younger kids create their own playful animations, interactive stories, and dynamic games.
Author: Marina Umaschi Bers, Mitchel Resnick
Age: 5+A Beginner's Guide to Coding
Ever wondered how to make your computer do what you want it to? If so, then it is time to get coding! A Beginner's Guide to Coding is an easy-to-follow guide to the basics of coding, using the free programming languages of Scratch and Python. These step-by-step projects will have you talking to your own chatbot or making your own computer games in no time.
Author: Marc Scott (Author), Mick Marston (Illustrator)
Age: 5+My First Coding Book
**NEW for 2017**
Off-line coding books are very popular for young children. The My First Coding Book is a fun book with flaps and offline activities to help children learn about coding and develop critical and logical thinking skills. The book is packed with bright colours and great images that will appeal to this age range. It's activity based and children will learn whilst having fun.
Author: Kiki Prottsman
Age: 5+
Retro Books
Usborne Books have also released popular books about computers and programming from the 80s. The books included program listings for such iconic computers as the ZX Spectrum, the BBC Micro and the Commodore 64. Some techie parents may be very excited to get hold of these. You can now download Introductions to Programming for free for your personal use.
More Coding Resources
- Coding Toys for Kids
- Graphical vs Text-Based Coding for Kids
- Bitsbox Coding Subscription - Review
- Best Websites for kids to learn Coding
- Use Pokemon Go to Get Kids Coding
