By Linda Liukas
It’s difficult to go anywhere in this world without seeing the influence of a computer. I wanted our library to have a book on coding, so I picked this one up.
Good points: Liukas offers a simple introduction to programming terminology and methods through a story about Ruby finding gems. Before Ruby starts the search, she needs a plan. Once on the search she encounters numbers, sequencing, booleans, etc.
Disappointments: Liukas rarely explains how things actually relate to coding. There are some exercises at the end of the book where she lightly touches how things apply but it is rare in the activities and never in the story. The terms are not explained at any time except in the glossary at the very back of the book. Also near the end, she puts “it all together,” but that is also weak and is done with a paper game you can make. I know it is for young children, but the flipping back and forth from front to back for explanations was annoying and without any clear connection between story and coding, this book falls flat.
Review by Teresa Edmunds, Westbrook Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★✩✩ (3 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 2-4
Book Website: http://www.helloruby.com/
Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding
By Linda Liukas
Feiwel and Friends
112 pages
Release Date: October 6, 2015
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
