This simple and practical guide provides a useful introduction to learning to use the Electron. It was written by a teacher with the help of his eleven-year-old son because they found many of the standard books on introducing programming were far too complicated. It gives step-by-step instruction on writing simple programs, using number and string variables and producing sound, colour and simple graphics.

The book is written in a light style and its colourful pages are filled with humorous illustrations. While it will be helpful for beginners of any age it is clearly aimed at young people. The reader is taken through the chapters in stages from initial familiarisation with the machine to a final summary of programming words, and a series of problems and solutions runs through the book. Each chapter ends with "A reminder" to summarise what has been taught.

Although the book gives clear explanations of what it is teaching, the text is as brief as possible and filled with practical examples to keep children interested. As early as the second chapter, three very short but complete programs are given to show that the computer can do with colour and sound. The theory is detailed in later chapters but hopefully readers will be encouraged to continue through the book if they know what they have to look forward to. Longer programs in the later chapters include a guessing game demonstrating both number and string variables, a birdsong program using procedures and a "ghosthunt" program which contains examples of everything taught in the book.

At just £2.50 this book would make an ideal gift for any young person who is beginning to realise that there is more to computers that just playing games. If they can understand and appreciate all that is explained, they will be well on the way to writing their own simple program.