SMARTBUGS ABC'S OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

Readers learn the basics of computer science in this STEM-centered alphabet picture book.

If there’s one thing that’s ever-present in children’s literature, it’s the alphabet, but modern kids also need to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math. In this book, Merrigan explores building blocks of computer science by alphabetically traversing through 26 words with the help of quirky insect characters. From “A is for Algorithm” to “Z is for Zip,” she covers everyday computing terms as well as more specific coding vocabulary. Every letter is accompanied by an explanation in the form of a short rhyming couplet. Some are easy for beginners to grasp, while others require preexisting coding knowledge: “J is for Java, a language with heart, / object-oriented, clean, and smart” is a succinct summary of Java, but readers may not know what “object-oriented” means or how it distinguishes Java from other languages. As a result, Merrigan’s intended audience is hard to gauge, and the book may need to be reread multiple times as younger readers puzzle out each term. Hryvtsova’s brightly colored cartoon illustrations feature computer bugs in insect form, demonstrating each term with a sense of joy and wonder that may inspire readers to try coding themselves.

A fun introduction to computing terminology that could serve as springboard to more complex ideas.