Coding from Scratch is a book about using Scratch to code. I had used this once as part of a class I was auditing and it was a lot of fun, although I kind of got stumped at one point and gave it up, so I was curious to check out this book to see if it would give me some more information so maybe I could play around a bit more. If you’re unaware, Scratch is an online coding platform that uses colorful coding blocks to create. Rather than actually writing the code out in text, you move what look almost like colorful puzzle pieces around to build loops and actions quickly and easily. You can sign up for an account at www.scratch.mit.edu. The first parts of the book go over how to create and set up your account and what all the tools mean and do. You can then make your own games pretty easily. The book also notes some components that you should think about before you start like – where does your game take place? What are the rules for what you can and can’t do? There are also some examples you can copy to re-make some games so that you can get a feel for how everything works before you dive in and do you own games.
I found Scratch to be a lot of fun to play around with and I think that this book is a really great guide to help you if you want to get started learning to code or even if your child does. It can be basic at times, but you can get really complicated and really cool with it as well which I think is great!
I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.
About the Book
Learn to create your own games, animation, presentations, and musical projects in no time at all with Coding from Scratch. Whether you’re just learning to code or need a refresher, this visual guide to coding will cover all the basics – coding tools, where to find them, and how to use them – with hands-on, step-by-step instructions designed to make Coding from Scratch second nature.