HOW TO CODE A SANDCASTLE

The first picture book in the Girls Who Code program, a lively and funny story that introduces kids to computer coding.

All summer, Pearl has been trying to build the perfect sandcastle, but out-of-control Frisbees and mischievous puppies keep getting in the way! Pearl and her robot friend Pascal have one last chance, and this time, they're going to use code to get the job done. Using fundamental computer coding concepts like sequences and loops, Pearl and Pascal are able to break down their sandcastle problem into small, manageable steps. If they can create working code, this could turn out to be the best beach day ever!

With renowned computer science nonprofit Girls Who Code, Josh Funk and Sara Palacios use humor, relatable situations, and bright artwork to introduce kids to the fun of coding.


During the day, Josh Funk writes C++, Java Code, and Python scripts as a software engineer, which he's been doing for the last 20 years. In his spare time he uses ABC's, drinks Java coffee, and writes picture book manuscripts such as Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, The Case of the Stinky Stench, Dear Dragon, and more. Josh graduated Suma cum Laude from the UMass Amherst Commonwealth College with a degree in Computer Science. He is a board member of The Writers' Loft in Sherborn, MA and the co-coordinator of the 2017 New England Regional SCBWI Conference.

Sara Palacios illustrated the Pura Belpré honor book Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match. She divides her time between San Francisco and Mexico City.