How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up

by Ruth Spiro, Teresa Martínez (Illustrator)

The best-selling author of the Baby Loves Science series levels up with this playful STEM picture book introducing kids–and grown-ups–to the coding world.

Grown-ups do NOT have all the answers! In this tongue-in-cheek guide, an in-the-know narrator instructs perceptive kid readers in the fine art of explaining coding to a grown-up. Both children and their adults learn the basics of coding, including hardware, software, algorithms, and debugging. Cleverly disguised “pro tips” suggest best practices for teaching any topic.

Fun and fact-filled, the How to Explain Science series will empower kid experts to explore complex scientific concepts with any grown-up who will listen.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Stem, Science, Childrens

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

Ruth Spiro is the author of the Baby Loves Science series, published by Charlesbridge. These adorably illustrated board books contain expert-reviewed science, yet are simple enough for the very youngest readers. Another new picture book series, Made by Maxine, will be published by Dial in October, 2018.

Ruth is a frequent speaker at schools and conferences, and recent presentations include the Early Childhood STEM Conference at CalTech and the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

Reviews

[Achyuth Murlei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Ruth Spiro, Charlesbridge, and NetGalley for the digital copy. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

If the kid is smart enough, they will read in-between the lines and learn to hack Intelligence agencies and participate in covert operations.

If not, I suspect they become Lord of the playground, with the swing serving as their throne.

All-in-all, a fun little gift for a second grade kid with science on their mind. I imagine this, along with the other entries in the series explaining STEM for kids would serve as a launching pad to explore the field given ChatGPT is but a click away. Querying the words 'algorithm' and 'loop' will be more than enough to be introduced to hours of material, falling down a rabbit hole of hard facts instead of using their parent's credit card to spend thousands in a pay-to-win mobile game.

The illustrations were fun. With roles inverted, it is the child teaching the adult the fantastical operations of a computer and how 'code' is a method of conversing with it.

Given the age category the book was tailored for and the goal of the author, it would be anything but unproductive to have a child running around with this book, re-reading it and in 20 years, dusting it off to have it read to his child.

[Melanie Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up is possibly one of the most well thought out books on coding available.

The author, Ruth Spiro, has combined humour and visual descriptions to enthral and inspire anyone who picks up this book.
My husband and I sat down to read it before sharing with our eight year old and we were delighted, laughing along with the pages. My husband is a programmer and I watched him mentally check off all the aspects.
This has helped me understand the basics of his job better, as well as giving a visual insight for our son.

The illustrations are stunning, honestly I'd be tempted to buy this book alone for the piece of art that it is but the actual information has me sold. The simple storyline is perfect for under 10's but informative enough for older children - and adults- as well.
I love the note 'please don't actually open a computer'.

I was gifted a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is a book I plan on purchasing.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I see this book it is a good excuse for a parent who is somewhat vague on the meaning of various terms and uses of computers to *upgrade* their understanding alongside of their child. Simple and easy to understand the application of this knowledge in daily life.
The illustrations by Teresa Martinez are to delightful, imaginative, and vividly colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Charlesbridge via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun picture book aiming to empower children by teaching them how to explain a complex concept like coding to a grown up. The book shows step by step how coding can be explained in simple terms and with examples. The book also encourages the reader to engage with the text by enacting the examples in real life. I especially loved the way the narrative showed that children can be just as competent as grown ups and I’m sure it will be a big hit with curious children everywhere!

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

In the delightful picture book "How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up", author Ruth Spiro takes young readers (and their grown-ups) on an engaging journey through the world of coding. With clever insights, playful illustrations, and a dash of humor, Spiro demystifies coding concepts, making them accessible even to those who might feel a bit bewildered by technology.

Summary:
The story begins with a child narrator addressing the reader directly. The child acknowledges that grown-ups don't always have all the answers, especially when it comes to coding. But fear not! The young expert is here to guide both kids and their adults through the basics of coding. From hardware to software, algorithms to debugging, Spiro breaks it down in a way that's both informative and entertaining.

What I Loved:

- Kid-Centric Approach:** Spiro's choice to have a child narrator is brilliant. It instantly connects with young readers and empowers them to share their knowledge.

- Pro Tips: Throughout the book, "pro tips" provide practical advice for explaining complex topics to grown-ups. These tips are not only helpful but also add a playful touch.

- Real-Life Analogies: Spiro uses relatable scenarios like navigating to the park or choosing playground equipment to explain coding concepts. It's like a secret code for everyday life!

- Illustrations: Teresa Martinez's illustrations are whimsical and inviting. They enhance the learning experience and keep readers engaged.

How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up is a bridge between generations. Whether you're a curious kid or a grown-up eager to learn, this delightful picture book will demystify coding and leave you feeling empowered. So grab your favorite grown-up, flip through the pages, and embark on a coding adventure together!

Highly recommended for ages 4 to 8 (and anyone who wants to crack the code!). 🚀📚

[Lisa Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jump up and down and celebrate, people! If you've EVER tried to explain coding to people who struggle with the concept (no matter what age they are), this beautiful, charming, funny, smart, perfect book is for you! Huge kudos to author Ruth Spiro, and illustrator Teresa Martinez, for creating something I wouldn't have thought possible - an engaging, accessible look at coding, why it matters, and how to do it. The book assumes that young readers (the character in the book looks 8-10 years old) have figured out that grownups do not know everything, and that they might need a little help with understanding this whole coding thing. So - a visit to the park, and deciding whether or not to go on a swing, is explained in coding terms. Terms like variable and conditional are included right along the way. There is a terrific two page spread that lays out the swing adventure in text code form, with an if...else element. This is a beautiful way to demystify code for both kids and adults. The "Pro Tips", such as "If your grown up can explain it, that shows they understand it", will be hugely appreciated by young readers. The language of "grown-up" rather than designating a specific (often gendered) grown-up role is something I use myself with my students, and it is wonderful to see it here. As someone who will be teaching pre-service teachers about coding at a School of Education this fall, I am delighted with this, and can't wait to get my hands on a print copy to share with my students. Ontario teacher and T-L's, get on this one. It comes out in October! This could work for K-8 classes, and would be a terrific text to work through with reading/coding buddy groups. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks to Net Galley and Charlesbridge for this remarkable book, which should find its way into a lot of Makerspace and Learning Commons collections!

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute "what is coding" book that takes the unusual approach of casting the kid in the teacher role and the parent in the student role (technically it was more of a 'perplexed person needing everything explained to them' role). This role reversal will be fun for kids and may even make the details covered in the book stick better in their minds.

The actual details on coding are sparse, but the basics are there and explained in a way that actually makes sense.

For a first- or second-grader, this is perfect. My science-loving third-grader may be a bit beyond it, but they could probably get something out of this too.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for providing an early copy for review.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Spiro's How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up is a fun, tongue-in-cheek book that encourages children to help the adults in their lives understand the world of coding.

One of the best ways for children to demonstrate their knowledge on a subject is by sharing their expertise about the topic with someone else. This book does an absolutely fantastic job of encouraging children to do just that and it also includes "Pro Tips" to guide children as they teach their adults about coding.

How to Explain Coding is an engaging book for children ages 4-8 that will create, expand, and further a child's interest in coding and STEM.

Kind thanks to Charlesbridge and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of this wonderful book.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across a book in the library whose title and cover immediately drew my attention and brought a smile to my face. I read it on the spot, not to a child, but for my own enjoyment. It was quite an eye-opener. I can understand how such a book could boost a child's self-esteem by enabling them to explain something to an adult, be it coding or any other subject that an adult may not grasp.

To me, it's less of a 'how-to' guide and more of a tool for building confidence. It communicates to children that even though adults appear to have all the answers, there are things that children can teach them.

Regarding computers, I often reach out to my children for assistance. At over seventy years old, with them in their thirties, they are my go-to for tech support.

[Jenny Blacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book, I'm not a coder. and my attempts to understand it have previously left me just confused. I won't be starting my own silicon valley startup anytime soon, but I do now understand the very basic fundamentals!

This isn't a "how to code" book, but a "what IS code??" It has just the right level of detail for the age group, and with the "grown-ups don't know everything" built in, you might avoid lots of questions from the said kid!

It's nicely laid out, with bright and fun illustrations.

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic copy from Charlesbridge through SLJ Picture Book Palooza.
Part of Spiro's How to Explain Science series. This time the young girl explains how computers work to her dad. She starts with the basics (parts of a computer) and builds to actual coding steps. I appreciate the analogy of going to the park and determining what to do when there. The challenge to create code is helpful as is identifying computers all around.
For me, the book has a slight patronizing tone but I'm not the demographic to learn about this area.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Charlesbridge Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great children's book that explains what coding is in a way that this absolutely non-digital native (but who cannot conceive of life with the internet) can understand. It's short, and does not explain "how to" code, but it does an excellent job of opening the door for younger children to think about the digital world that they are growing up in, and what its application is in everyday life.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adults don't know everything, and sometimes their kids need to fill them in. This girl is doing just that, teaching her adult about coding. It's how computers are programmed!

Ruth Spiro (of the Baby Loves Science series) has moved on from board books to this picture book featuring an older child (maybe 9 or 10?). I love how the girl takes it slow and simple and even lets her adult demonstrate understanding. Includes a glossary and is part of the "explain science to a grown-up series"

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun grade school book. It teaches the basics of how algorithms and computers work. It uses the idea of explaining it to a parent to make it fun. This book does a fantastic job of teaching the beginning of coding and how to think like a computer. The illustrations are bright and colorful and go well with the book. Spiro is known for her science books for kids of all ages and this is another great book in a great series.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can see this one worked for me because I am not the intended audience and I picked it up. I think I would have liked this book as a kid, and I enjoyed skimming through it as an adult. The illustrations are friendly and a lot of the teaching pro tips (stop and ask for questions, stop and feed your grown-up, let your grown-up walk to the park, etc) were important tools for all of us.

[Jennifer H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this title. I help teach coding to kids and I think this is a pretty good basic understanding of how coding works. This could be a good start for a lesson on coding.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Do you want to know a secret? Grown-ups don’t know everything. Sometimes they need YOU to explain things to THEM.”

And with that hook How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up begins; a story full of pro-tips, diagrams, and fascinating facts! Out 10.10.23! 💻

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a nice introduction to coding but with a fun twist to the explanations. The message of kids being able to learn and teach others was great. However, while I enjoyed the odditity of the set up, it did come accross a bit condescending towards adults.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Rebecca Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

How to Explain Coding to a Grown-Up infers that adults are stupid and kids know more than them. I didn’t appreciate the tone of the book.

[Joni Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly book on a cool topic. This book explains coding while making the kids feel big. The illustrations are super cute.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband codes for a living, so he found this book amusing. My 6 year old daughter also liked it.

[Robin Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay. Tell me more.