Lauren Ipsum [Paperback]

Carlos Bueno (Author), Ytaelena López (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 20, 2011

A story about computer science and other improbable things. Laurie is lost in Userland. She knows where she is, or where she's going, but maybe not at the same time. The only way out is through Jargon-infested swamps, gates guarded by perfect logic, and the perils of breakfast time at the Philosopher's Diner. With just her wits and the help of a lizard who thinks he's a dinosaur, Laurie has to find her own way home.

Lauren Ipsum is a children's story about computer science. In 20 chapters she encounters dozens of ideas from timing attacks to algorithm design, the subtle power of names, and how to get a fair flip out of even the most unfair coin.

Get one, Give one: For every copy of Lauren Ipsum sold, another copy will be donated to schools, libraries, and educational programs. See www.laurenipsum.org for more details.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A Looking Glass tale for the computer age." -School Library Journal 

"Lauren Ipsum is part of a much larger movement that seeks to bring programming skills to, well, everyone." -Wired

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1461178185
• ISBN-13: 978-1461178187
• Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,682 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carlos Bueno is an engineer at Facebook, where he makes things go faster. He is the author of many articles about computer science and the structure of the internet.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking, entertaining read. November 21, 2011

By Ben Z

Format:Kindle Edition

Lauren Ipsum is a remarkable book, the latest in the exalted but rarefied tradition that runs from Lewis Carroll through The Phantom Tollbooth, making stops at Godel Escher Bach and others along the way. It covers a whimsical journey with fun characters across unknown cognitive lands, bringing to life logic and computer science puzzlers and thought experiments. Recommended for advanced youngsters and adults who are young at heart and like thinking about what they read. It's gentle and unintimidating if you're just curious, but I'm a professional technologist and still learned and solidified some great concepts while reading this book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible! Finally an accessible intro to comp sci for kids! November 30, 2011

By Holy_Handgrenade

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was excited when I first learned about this project almost a month ago. Carlos decided to post the first chapter up on the projects main website which hooked me instantly. As soon as it was available I got it for the kindle and took the time to read it fully.

The exceptional part of this work is that it is an accessible introduction to computer science and how the various systems work. While this is not the first attempt I've seen at directing kids into the fascinating world of computer science, this is the first one that doesn't stumble on presenting complex topics such as math as a workbook or otherwise try to explain binary in a "textbook" sort of way.

Everything is presented in a very Alice in Wonderland style of story where every concept is explained from a character's point of view and uses characterizations to convey or represent specific concepts. In the case of binary, Carlos presents the ways that it is used first showing it in action, with our heroine, Laurie, asking the "how does it do that?" question which gets explained clearly by another character. Covering things like algorithms, encryption, security concepts, precision and heuristics, even presenting how to work on a timing attack. Userland is also described beautifully and makes some, not as obvious as other, attempts at explaining how computer systems are organized.

As an adult, I enjoyed the read. It was fun to go through and constantly going back through the chapters going "Ahh, I see what you did there!" All in all I highly recommend this book for anyone, not just kids.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought altering November 23, 2011

By Bill Sempf

Format:Kindle Edition

I have read then and I have written them, but few books have changed the way I think about software development like Lauren Ipsum. Never have I read a clearer, more descriptive rendition of what computer science is REALLY about. So glad I sponsored the Kickstarter. After reading it myself and having my wife read it (She now knows I am a Composer!) I have been reading it to my son, a little at a time.

If you are even slightly interested in engineering, computer science or maths, you should give this book a try. I don't love many books, but when I do they have Turtles!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not only for kids November 23, 2011

By Michael Kohl

Format:Kindle Edition

Written by an engineer working for Facebook and his wife, "Lauren Ipsum" is meant to be a book for teaching computer science to children. This is done in the form of a fairy tale that doesn't actually involve any computers, but instead focusses on programming as a way of thinking. This is a commendable teaching approach and to be honest not only children can profit from this. In fact I'm likely to use some of the stories and metapors from the book in future discussions, especially the one about the "byzantine process". Note that this is also fun for grown-ups, since it's full of nerdy puns that will be lost on kids anyway ("a maze of twisty little passages" anyone?).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Alice in Wonderland meets Martin Gardner March 15, 2012

By Darth Breather

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great little book, modeled on Alice in Wonderland, updated and used to actually illustrate concepts in math and computer science. I think it would be fun to read aloud to a child. The structure of the book works; the chameleon is a nice foil to the main character, Lauren, and the problems are beautifully explained.

My problem with it was that it fell just short of what could have been wonderful: Lauren doesn't seem to have much personality or much of a response to anything. She's become a cardboard character - and she didn't need to be. It's all potentially there in the story. If the book is read aloud, this can be added in by the narrator, but it could have been on the page.

I think this would make a neat film.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great one February 8, 2012

By Mohammad Kotb

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I liked this book very much, its approach of explaining Computer Science is very good. I have enjoyed reading it and I highly recommend it not only to kids but to anyone want to know more about Computer Science, and I have already recommended it to some friends.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, playful idea; not so sold on the illustrations. December 6, 2011

By A. J. Russell

Format:Paperback

The book is fantastic, in both the old-fashioned and the modern sense of that word. It's clever and thought-provoking and playful and educational and fun. The slightly creeply illustrations seemed like an ill fit to me, though; I quite liked them as art, but I didn't like them as illustrations for this book. But kids might love'em. I will definitely be giving this book a lot this Christmas.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! Great for kids, and those new to programming. August 21, 2012

By Ann E. Howard

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found the book charming, interesting and engaging. My son, who had no interest in learning to program before, is very interested now. As a software engineer, I had explained the concept to him as "making software, like websites and video games", which hadn't sparked his interest. The book goes into details about solving problems, doing things cleverly and not being so concerned with bit-wise operations and the limitations of silicon. It explores the mysteries in computation, not the mundanity in computer science that so often textbooks begin with. There are no shortage of people who feel like computer science has a story to offer, and this captures it beautifully.