Books published by publisher No Starch Press

With a bit of imagination and a heavy dose of artistic talent, Minecraft blocks can be used to build almost anything. But as you’ll see, some artists are taking Minecraft building to a whole new level.Beautiful Minecraft is a compendium of stunning artwork built in Minecraft. Using millions of blocks and spending hundreds of hours, these artists have created floating steampunk cities, alien worlds, detailed classical sculptures, fantastical landscapes, architectural marvels, and more.The results are simply beautiful.

Everything’s gone screwy at Tagai Academy. When the headmaster forces Minagi’s entire class to study Einstein’s theory of relativity over summer school, Minagi volunteers to go in their place. There’s just one problem: He’s never even heard of relativity before! Luckily, Minagi has the plucky Miss Uraga to teach him.Follow along with The Manga Guide to Relativity as Minagi learns about the non-intuitive laws that shape our universe. Before you know it, you’ll master difficult concepts like inertial frames of reference, unified spacetime, and the equivalence principle. You’ll see how relativity affects modern astronomy and discover why GPS systems and other everyday technologies depend on Einstein’s extraordinary discovery.The Manga Guide to Relativity also teaches you how to:–Understand and use E = mc2, the world’s most famous equation–Calculate the effects of time dilation using the Pythagorean theorem–Understand classic thought experiments like the Twin Paradox, and see why length contracts and mass increases at relativistic speeds–Grasp the underpinnings of Einstein’s special and general theories of relativityIf the idea of bending space and time really warps your brain, let The Manga Guide to Relativity straighten things out.

Python is a powerful, expressive programming language that’s easy to learn and fun to use! But books about learning to program in Python can be kind of dull, gray, and boring, and that’s no fun for anyone.Python for Kids brings Python to life and brings you (and your parents) into the world of programming. The ever-patient Jason R. Briggs will guide you through the basics as you experiment with unique (and often hilarious) example programs that feature ravenous monsters, secret agents, thieving ravens, and more. New terms are defined; code is colored, dissected, and explained; and quirky, full-color illustrations keep things on the lighter side.Chapters end with programming puzzles designed to stretch your brain and strengthen your understanding. By the end of the book you’ll have programmed two complete games: a clone of the famous Pong and "Mr. Stick Man Races for the Exit"—a platform game with jumps, animation, and much more.As you strike out on your programming adventure, you’ll learn how to:–Use fundamental data structures like lists, tuples, and maps–Organize and reuse your code with functions and modules–Use control structures like loops and conditional statements–Draw shapes and patterns with Python’s turtle module–Create games, animations, and other graphical wonders with tkinterWhy should serious adults have all the fun? Python for Kids is your ticket into the amazing world of computer programming.For kids ages 10+ (and their parents)The code in this book runs on almost anything: Windows, Mac, Linux, even an OLPC laptop or Raspberry Pi!

Arduino Project Handbook is a beginner-friendly collection of electronics projects using the low-cost Arduino board. With just a handful of components, an Arduino, and a computer, you’ll learn to build and program everything from light shows to arcade games to an ultrasonic security system.First you’ll get set up with an introduction to the Arduino and valuable advice on tools and components. Then you can work through the book in order or just jump to projects that catch your eye. Each project includes simple instructions, colorful photos and circuit diagrams, and all necessary code.Arduino Project Handbook is a fast and fun way to get started with micro­controllers that’s perfect for beginners, hobbyists, parents, and educators.Uses the Arduino Uno board.

ScratchJr is a free, introductory computer programming language that runs on iPads, Android tablets, Amazon tablets, and Chromebooks. Inspired by Scratch, the wildly popular programming language used by millions of children worldwide, ScratchJr helps even younger kids create their own playful animations, interactive stories, and dynamic games.The Official ScratchJr Book is the perfect companion to this free app and makes coding easy and fun for all. Kids learn to program by connecting blocks of code to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing.Each chapter includes several activities that build on one another, culminating in a fun final project. These hands-on activities help kids develop computational-thinking, problem-solving, and design skills. In each activity, you’ll find:–Step-by-step, easy-to-follow directions–Ways to connect the activity with literacy and math concepts–Tips for grown-ups and teachers–Creative challenges to take the learning furtherBy the end of the book, kids will be ready for all sorts of new programming adventures!The ScratchJr app now supports English, Spanish, Catalan, Dutch, French, Italian, and Thai.

In Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi, you'll learn how to build and code your own robot projects with just the Raspberry Pi microcomputer and a few easy-to-get components - no prior experience necessary!Learn Robotics with Raspberry Pi will take you from inexperienced maker to robot builder. You'll start off building a two-wheeled robot powered by a Raspberry Pi minicomputer and then program it using Python, the world's most popular programming language. Gradually, you'll improve your robot by adding increasingly advanced functionality until it can follow lines, avoid obstacles, and even recognize objects of a certain size and color using computer vision. Learn how to:- Control your robot remotely using only a Wii remote- Teach your robot to use sensors to avoid obstacles- Program your robot to follow a line autonomously - Customize your robot with LEDs and speakers to make it light up and play sounds- See what your robot sees with a Pi CameraAs you work through the book, you'll learn fundamental electronics skills like how to wire up parts, use resistors and regulators, and determine how much power your robot needs. By the end, you'll have learned the basics of coding in Python and know enough about working with hardware like LEDs, motors, and sensors to expand your creations beyond simple robots.

The most impressive LEGO models often take careful planning (and lots of pieces), but with some inspiration, a little imagination, and a number of tried-and-true techniques, you too can turn bricks into a masterpiece.In The Art of LEGO® Design, author Jordan Schwartz explores LEGO as an artistic medium. This wide-ranging collection of creative techniques will help you craft your own amazing models as you learn to see the world through the eyes of some of the greatest LEGO builders. Each concept is presented with a collection of impressive models to spark your imagination—like fantastic dragons, futuristic spaceships, expressive characters, and elaborate dioramas.You’ll discover some of the inventive techniques that LEGO artists use to:–Create lifelike creatures from unusual elements like inside-out tires and minifigure capes–Design sleek cars without showing a single stud–Add ambience to dioramas with light bricks or LEDs–Craft eye-catching textures to create cobblestone roads and brick walls–Build sturdy, detailed, posable mechs and other figures–Add depth with forced perspective and interesting silhouettesInterviews with the talented builders behind many of the book’s models reveal their thoughts on the design process and what inspires them most. Even if you’ve been building with LEGO since you could crawl, you’ll find new inspiration in The Art of LEGO® Design.

Ayumi is a world-class shogi (Japanese chess) player who can’t be beaten—that is, until she loses to a powerful computer called the Shooting Star. Ayumi vows to find out everything she can about her new nemesis. Lucky for her, Yuu Kano, the genius programmer behind the Shooting Star, is willing to teach her all about the inner workings of the microprocessor—the “brain” inside all computers, phones, and gadgets. Follow along with Ayumi in The Manga Guide to Microprocessors and you’ll learn about:-How the CPU processes information and makes decision-How computers perform arithmetic operations and store information-logic gates and how they’re used in integrated circuits-the Key components of modern computers, including registers, GPUs, and RAM-Assembly language and how it differs from high-level programming languagesWhether you’re a computer science student or just want to understand the power of microprocessors, you’ll find what you need to know in The Manga Guide to Microprocessors.

Every year Jewish families commemorate the ancient exodus from Egypt with a ritual Passover meal, or seder. It's an important religious event, but for children it can be, well, kind of a snooze. This one-of-a-kind haggadah will change that. Filled with zany characters, wacky rhymes, and humorous color illustrations, Eliezer Segal's lighthearted and very entertaining look at Passover traditions shows just how much fun a seder can be.

Discover the many features of the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 set. The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Discovery Book is the complete, illustrated, beginner's guide to MINDSTORMS that you've been looking for. The crystal clear instructions in the Discovery Book will show you how to harness the capabilities of the NXT 2.0 set to build and program your own robots. Author and robotics instructor Laurens Valk walks you through the set, showing you how to use its various pieces, and how to use the NXT software to program robots. Interactive tutorials make it easy for you to reach an advanced level of programming as you learn to build robots that move, monitor sensors, and use advanced programming techniques like data wires and variables. You'll build eight increasingly sophisticated robots like the Strider (a six-legged walking creature), the CCC (a climbing vehicle), the Hybrid Brick Sorter (a robot that sorts by color and size), and the Snatcher (an autonomous robotic arm). Numerous building and programming challenges throughout encourage you to think creatively and to apply what you've learned as you develop the skills essential to creating your own robots.Requirements: One LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 set (#8547)FeaturesA complete introduction to LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0Building and programming instructions for eight innovative robots50 sample programs and 72 programming challenges (ranging from easy to hard) encourage you to explore newly learned programming techniques15 building challenges expand on the robot designs and help you develop ideas for new robotsWho is this book for? This is a perfect introduction for those new to building and programming with the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 set. The book also includes intriguing robot designs and useful programming tips for more seasoned MINDSTORMS builders.-

Unleash your imagination as you journey through the wide-ranging world of LEGO building with The LEGO Adventure Book. This inspiring tour is filled with bright visuals, step-by-step breakdowns of 25 models, and nearly 200 example models from the world's best builders. Learn to build robots, trains, medieval villages, spaceships, airplanes, and much more. Whether you're brand-new to LEGO or have been building for years, this book is sure to spark your imagination and motivate you to keep creating!

Rin and Ami have been skipping molecular biology class all semester, and Professor Moro has had enough—he's sentencing them to summer school on his private island. But they're in store for a special lesson. Using Dr. Moro's virtual reality machine to travel inside the human body, they'll get a close-up look at the fascinating world of molecular biology.Join them in The Manga Guide to Molecular Biology, and learn all about DNA, RNA, proteins, amino acids, and more. Along the way, you'll see chemical reactions first-hand and meet entertaining characters like Enzyme Man and Drinkzilla, who show how the liver metabolizes alcohol.Together with Ami and Rin, you'll learn all about:–The organelles and proteins inside cells, and how they support cellular functions–The processes of transcription and translation, and your genes' role in synthesizing proteins–The pieces that make up our genetic code, like nucleotides, codons, introns, and exons–The processes of DNA replication, mitosis and cytokinesis–Genetic technology like transduction and cloning, and the role of molecular biology in medicineWhether you need a molecular biology refresher or you're just fascinated by the science of life, The Manga Guide to Molecular Biology will give you a uniquely fun and informative introduction.