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Hello World! Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners

Posted on: Thursday, 20 August 2009, 06:00 CDT

GREENWICH, Conn., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Warren Sande wanted to teach programming to his son Carter, but couldn't find a suitable book. So the Sandes set out on an adventure. In a genuine collaboration between father and son, they wrote a book of their own: Hello World! Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners -- an illustrated, kid-friendly introduction to computer programming.

The book uses Python, a programming language specifically designed for teaching and learning. Python is included in computers provided through the One Laptop Per Child project. Nicholas Negroponte, the project's founder, says: "Computer programming is a powerful tool for children to 'learn learning,' that is, to learn the skills of thinking and problem-solving... Children who engage in programming transfer that kind of learning to other things."

Hello World! Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners brings programming to life with easy-to-follow, hands-on examples. Along the way, young readers meet Carter -- a kid, like them, learning to program -- and a colorful cast of characters.

Anyone age 8 and up who can open files and surf the web can learn programming using this book. Although written for kids, it's not dumbed-down. Many professional programmers use the Python language. It's also free and runs on almost any computer.

Readers have embraced the book, saying it "...makes up for a very real deficiency in the educational system" (Sue Gee, iprogrammer.com) and ". . .has been a great time for us as father and daughter and educational for us both." (JR Peck, Slashdot) On July 13, 2009, it was the #1 computer book at Amazon.com and ranked #84 among books overall.

Warren and Carter Sande are available for print, online, or in-person interviews, and could discuss their experiences with the book and the need for computer education for young children. See them on Canada's CTV network: http://watch.ctv.ca/news/clip186877.

http://www.manning.com/sande 978-1-933988-49-8 U.S. $34.99 Ages 8+ 408 pages Available now

Manning Publications publishes high quality books for computer professionals, and is known for innovations including selling ebooks as unprotected PDFs, and electronically releasing books in development within its Early Access program.

Warren Sande is an electronic systems engineer and introductory software course teacher. Carter Sande is a bright, curious, and energetic boy who loves computers, piano, the trampoline, and Pokemon.

SOURCE Manning Publications Co.

Source: PR Newswire

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