Computer Engineering for Babies

Computer Engineering for Babies

by Chase Roberts

Digital logic is the basis for computers.
Did you know computers are made of of ones and zeros? Ones and zeros are just another way to say that something is on or off (just like how the buttons in this book are on or off). Logic gates are used to mix these on/off signals in all sorts of useful ways from sending cars through a stoplight, to keeping your computer whirring, or lighting up an LED in a book.

Genres: Science, Childrens, Engineering, Nonfiction

12 pages, Board book

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Anabel Nickerson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Directions didn’t make sense to me but I’m not an engineer so there’s that

[Mehul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good.

[Aga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a must have for kids! It's quite fun because of the lights and buttons so they'll keep coming back to it.

[LadyGwethelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gifted this as a second birthday present and it was a big hit. The two year old had fun trying out the button combinations and both the computer scientist parent and the parent from another field thought it was a fun idea.
Career impact yet to be evaluated, might report back in 20ish years.

[annalee ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this on TikTok so, yes, I am counting it.

[Kat Rybalko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Дуже крута, повністю інтерактивна книжка для дітей різного віку👶. Пояснює базові алгоритми на прикладі кнопок, що вмикають лампочки різних кольорів. Наймолодшим буде цікаво навіть просто натискати, щоб зрозуміти, що це вмикає світло.
Я й сама залипла на всі ці кнопочки з лампочками 😆

[Oz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big lights and buttons!

[Jimbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic concept. The book is really well executed. The buttons are big and satisfying to press - they remind me very much of old arcade buttons. The buttons and LEDs are shared between all the pages - visible through cut-outs on the pages. This does mean that, on the early pages, the buttons are in quite a deep hole, which makes it a tiny bit tricky for tiny hands, since you can't just pound them with a palm or fist you actually have to get a finger or thumb in there. There are a series of light sensors which allow the book to detect which page is open, and therefore change the behaviour of the pages to match the content. The book looks really robust - the pages are thicker than most of the other board books we have.

My 10-month old got the idea pretty quickly. At first he was pretty convinced that touching the LED must be the thing to do to make the LED light up. But I didn't have to demonstrate many times before he understood that the buttons are the key. He was honestly delighted the first time he made the light light-up.

My only criticism is that the design of the actual pages, other than the buttons/lights doesn't have a lot to capture the interest of a baby. Each page is basically one colour with a circuit board pattern in the background, and the schematic for what's on the page. To my adult taste, this looks really cool. But it did mean I had to work a bit to get my son interested in it. He had a visible "WTF" moment because, despite looking like a baby book from the outside, it clearly didn't seem like one when he opened it. It might feel a bit cringe to a grown-up, but if you could invent some characters and a story to motivate why the buttons are being pressed, it might help engage those minds that haven't yet realised that Boolean Logic is it's own joy and reward.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for simple computer science concepts. Easy access to batteries for swapping new ones in. Sturdy and colourful. We thoroughly "tested" it but it held up well for the most part. The "NOT" page may have a glitch somewhere (turned page away and the light stayed blue even after closing the book. Needed to flip and press a few buttons to reset).

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Kickstarter backer. The book material and buttons feel nice to touch. And the idea is genius. But the sensors may be a bit flaky. Also the battery could be improved by having a device which got charged with the force of button pressing. They only need to power a low energy led for a couple seconds. Should be enough, and more sustainable?

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battery-powered book with LEDs and buttons that demonstrate logic gates (with a latch being the most complex).

[Scott Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever clever clever. I definitely bought it for the kid that I do not have...not myself...haha

[Ayşenur Nazlı]

Bunun embriyo versiyonu var mı ya? Belli ki bebekler bile benden daha zeki 😐

[Thomas Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heck yeah. This is awesome. Good luck to any babies trying to figure out how the feedback loop works in the latch at the end, but maybe some of the parents will figure it out. :-)

[Danielle T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think H finally took an interest a few months ago, marking it here anyway.

[The Half-blood Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interactive children's board book featuring buttons and lights to introduce basic computer logic gates.

[Blaine Riesberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gotta start somewhere

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Board book with buttons to push that illustrate basic logic gates.

Very clear illustration of And, Or, XOR, Not, etc.

[Tony Loyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how much kids are going to be able to take from this but its pretty unique and buttons are fun

[Philip Froloshky · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a little clearer to me now. XD

Also, very well-made book with all the lights, switches, and functions.