Python for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Programming
- 3h 39m
- Jason R. Briggs
- No Starch Press
- 2013
Python is a powerful, expressive programming language that’s easy to learn and fun to use! But books about learning to program in Python can be kind of dull, gray, and boring, and that’s no fun for anyone.
Python for Kids brings Python to life and brings you (and your parents) into the world of programming. The ever-patient Jason R. Briggs will guide you through the basics as you experiment with unique (and often hilarious) example programs that feature ravenous monsters, secret agents, thieving ravens, and more. New terms are defined; code is colored, dissected, and explained; and quirky, full-color illustrations keep things on the lighter side.
Chapters end with programming puzzles designed to stretch your brain and strengthen your understanding. By the end of the book you’ll have programmed two complete games: a clone of the famous Pong and "Mr. Stick Man Races for the Exit"—a platform game with jumps, animation, and much more.
As you strike out on your programming adventure, you’ll learn how to:
- Use fundamental data structures like lists, tuples, and maps
- 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.
For kids ages 10+ (and their parents)
The code in this book runs on almost anything: Windows, Mac, Linux, even an OLPC laptop or Raspberry Pi!
About the Author
Jason R Briggs grew up in Hawke's Bay, on the east coast of New Zealand, but for the last 17 years has divided his time between NZ, Thailand and England.
Which is entirely far too much time spent strapped inside a glorified tin can with wings.
In this Book
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Introduction
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Not All Snakes Slither
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Calculations and Variables
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Strings, Lists, Tuples, and Maps
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Drawing with Turtles
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Asking Questions with If and Else
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Going Loopy
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Recycling Your Code with Functions and Modules
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How to Use Classes and Objects
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Python's Built-in Functions
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Useful Python Modules
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More Turtle Graphics
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Using Tkinter for Better Graphics
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Beginning Your First Game—Bounce!
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Finishing Your First Game—Bounce!
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Creating Graphics for the Mr. Stick Man Game
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Developing the Mr. Stick Man Game
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Creating Mr. Stick Man
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Completing the Mr. Stick Man Game
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Afterword—Where to Go from Here
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Glossary
