STEAM Play & Learn 20 fun step-by-step preschool projects about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math! Book Review

STEAM Play & Learn

20 fun step-by-step preschool projects about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math!

Ana Dziengel

Walter Foster Jr

Children’s Nonfiction, STEAM

Publication Date: June 5, 2018

STEAM Play & Learn is filled with engaging projects perfect for preschool and early-school aged children. One of my favorite parts of this book is that it is simply broken down into three sections: easy projects (put out the materials and let kids work), medium projects (some adult assistance will be needed), and difficult projects (adult-led). As a parent and a teacher, I love that I can quickly choose what will work best for me and my kiddos. The images and illustrations are colorful and attention grabbing and each project has clear, easy-to-follow directions. From Frozen Goop to Salty Circuits kids are sure to have a blast learning and exploring!

If you’re interested in reading STEAM Play & Learn: 20 fun step-by-step preschool projects about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math!, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

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Programming Games and Animation Kids Get Coding Series Book Review

Programming Games and Animation 

Kids Get Coding Series

Heather Lyons (Author)

Alex Westgate (Illustrator)

Lerner Publications

Children’s Nonfiction, Upper Elementary

Publication Date: August 1, 2017

I love finding coding books that appeal to different age groups and that get kids interested in coding. I had a lot of hope for Programming Games and Animation from the Kids Get Coding series, but this book fell flat.

First, the web address in the book takes you to a page where the links associated with this book say, "Sorry... There's nothing here!" so any of the activities the book describes can't actually be completed. If I was a kid, I would be devastated.

Second, the book does do a good job of helping kids plan out a maze-type game and thinking through different scenarios, but the "coding" they show doesn't translate into other commonly used types of coding I've seen. Perhaps it is exactly what kids need for the maze-building website that has a broken link and is thus inaccessible? But as it currently is, if kids read this book, they would not be able to apply their knowledge to other coding formats.

Last, the book covers several coding topics but uses a rubber duck called "Data Duck" as its mascot. Even when the duck wears sunglasses, it's still too juvenile for the target audience. Upper Elementary kids who are excited to learn to code want to be challenged, not infantilized. Again, I had a lot of hope for this book, but your money would be better spent elsewhere.

If you’re still interested in reading Programming Games and Animation from the Kids Get Coding Series, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

Get Coding!: Learn HTML, CSS & JavaScript & Build a Website, App & Game Book Review

Get Coding!: Learn HTML, CSS & JavaScript & Build a Website, App & Game

Young Rewired State

Candlewick

Children’s Nonfiction, Middle Grades, Young Adult

Publication Date: August 1, 2017

Get Coding! is an awesome book! Though it's geared toward kids, this book is a wealth of knowledge and an easy to follow manual for a want-to-be coder of any age. It teaches HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Through six missions, you can learn to build a website, an app, and a game!

Get Coding! is a great resource for kids who want to learn on their own, for teachers who want to learn a little more, for teachers who are new to teaching coding classes, or as a resource for makerspaces!

If you’re interested in reading Get Coding!: Learn HTML, CSS & JavaScript & Build a Website, App & Game, you can purchase a copy here on Amazon. 

*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.

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