Preface

In 2013, a parent and friend of mine asked if I would teach a Python course to middle school students at a local school. My friend gently asked if I could somehow use the Raspberry Pi computer in the course. I love learning new things and I had been reading a lot about the Raspberry Pi. So as you can imagine, I was tremendously excited at the opportunity of using it and emphatically said “Yes!” That event began my journey of developing a course for kids on programming in Python and using the Raspberry Pi and later, this book.

Quickly, as I worked with the Raspberry Pi, I became a disciple of the Raspberry Pi inventors: the best way for kids to learn programming is by giving them an affordable, ready-to-program computer. It was the perfect platform to learn how to program.

As a teacher of computer science, I grew to deeply appreciate Python. I became convinced that it was not only a great programming language, but its focus on readability and simplicity made it perfect for kids to learn as their first programming language.

Fast forward in time—after teaching Python using the Raspberry Pi to many classes of kids, I had developed a set of engaging and funny projects that the kids enjoyed. Just as important, the students learned! The feedback from the kids and the parents was fantastic! Imagine kids rushing to take part in a programming class. It was wonderful!

A few months after developing my course, Nicole Butterfield and Robin de Jongh of Manning Publications contacted me about turning it into a book. I was thrilled at the prospect of bringing the activities and projects from the computer lab into the hands of kids everywhere. What is more, this book would fill an important gap. What I had found when I originally started teaching my course was that there were no books on the Raspberry Pi and programming in Python that were designed for kids. Since the main reason for inventing the Raspberry Pi was to get more kids programming, I was enthusiastic to work on this project.

Nearly two years later, and several versions of the Raspberry Pi later, I’m proud to present this book to the kids and other beginners who want to learn to program. I hope you enjoy using this book and it starts you on your own journey in computer science!