Coding in Computers

From typing your name to playing a song, everything you do on computers uses code. But how do computers understand what we’re telling them? This engaging title introduces young readers to programming languages, binary code, and the history of early programming.

Gr 1-3-Young readers may be aware of the many ways computers impact their lives, but this set illuminates how coding makes these tasks possible. Each volume contains three short chapters-a general overview, a brief history, and a "how-it-works" example-that use easy-to-understand vocabulary but do not shy away from including the names of specific programming languages and terms that readers might not be familiar with. These words appear in bold and are concisely defined in the accompanying glossary, which is in line with the series' use of simple sentence structures to convey information. Abundant photos support the text and will be especially appealing to visual learners. VERDICT An excellent introductory series that could spark continued interest in computer programming, app development, and other code-based pursuits.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.