Python Illustrated: Not another boring Python book, learn programming the fun way

“Maaike and Imke van Putten’s delightful Python Illustrated follows innocent Wiesje on a journey to learn the secrets only Zia seems to know. The journey is long and filled with discoveries about Python as well as the ways Wiesje needs to adapt and grow.

No, you’re not reading a review of a new fiction title.

Unlike many books on Python, this book features two cute animals on an exploration of the Python landscape. Zia, the cat, is knowledgeable, patient and crafty, while Wiesje, the dog, seems to be looking past Python to the doors that new skills might open, described in Chapter 11, Next Steps.

The book is lavishly illustrated. Even the introduction to the terminal window relies on a hand-drawn image. In most books, a captured screen shot of a terminal window lacks any hint on where the reader is supposed to look. These well-executed drawings provide subtle visual emphases on what’s important and what’s background. The chapter on using the debugger benefits from many hand-drawn sketches of the various parts of the VS-code screen and what information each part presents.

Wiesje’s commentary on things that are difficult, or require a fresh cup of coffee, are surprisingly helpful. When Wiesje wanted to take a break, I found it was time for this reviewer to take a walk and come back to Python, ready to sniff out what’s new and different in the next section. As Zia reminds us, this isn’t easy, and we need to be patient.

The content is suitable for someone new to programming, or someone with limited experience who wants to learn Python. It covers a useful subset of the language, including almost all of the statements (except obscurities like the type and nonlocal statements.) It covers many of the most useful built-in data types: numbers, strings, booleans, and the list, tuple, and dictionary collections. Beyond merely covering these topics, the presentation has a sensible ordering. It makes tremendous sense for Zia to show Wiesje the for statement after presenting lists and dictionaries.

Any introduction to object-oriented programming is going to be filled with nuanced questions that are the subject of endless disputes. For example, the decision between inheritance and composition is a minefield of subtle traps and confusing choices. This book’s point is to expose the basics of classes and inheritance, providing a useful foundation for the reader to tackle more in-depth titles.

A topic that might deserve more coverage is creating virtual environments and adding libraries from PyPI. The book starts with instructions for installing Python. While virtual environments aren’t important for new learners, it seems prudent to suggest using tools like uv to install Python, manage virtual environments, and install new packages.

If you’re new to programming and interested in learning the most popular programming language, this book’s two guides, Zia and Wiesje, will be very helpful. Besides their enjoyable company while doing the exercises and taking the quizzes, you’ll be able to learn from Wiesje’s mistakes and Zia’s wise advice.”

Steven Lott

“I recently had the chance to read an early review copy of Python Illustrated, by Maaike and Imke van Putten, and it’s one of the most approachable introductions to Python I’ve ever come across.

“This book does an excellent job guiding beginners from zero to confidence. It starts with the essentials – getting set up with Python and a development environment – and steadily builds through variables, conditionals, loops, collections, functions, and file handling before introducing object-oriented programming and debugging. The progression feels thoughtful and well-paced, making it easy to build understanding step by step.

“What really makes this book stand out is its personality. The illustrated storytelling approach – featuring Zia the cat and Wiesje the dachshund – keeps things engaging without sacrificing clarity. The tone is friendly and encouraging, which makes it especially welcoming to people who might feel intimidated by programming at first.

“I also appreciated how practical the learning experience is. Each chapter includes exercises and quizzes, with solutions provided, so readers can actively test their understanding rather than just passively read. If you're starting your Python journey, or mentoring a beginner, Python Illustrated is a warm, well-structured, and motivating companion. It makes learning programming feel accessible, human, and even a bit playful – which is exactly what many beginners need.”

Fabrizio Romano, Author of Learn Python Programming

“Teaching Python well is a design problem, and this book solves it with intention. The hand-drawn illustrations and a feline narrator give it a genuine warmth without softening the substance. Decorators, inheritance, and debugging workflows are all here, treated seriously. Thorough, but never intense.

Maaike and Imke have pulled off something genuinely rare: a book for beginners that truly sets you up for success.”

Sam Keen, Author – Clean Architecture with Python, Founder AlteredCraft

Maaike is a software consultant and trainer with a passion for sharing her expertise to empower others in their careers. Her love for software development shows in the numerous software development projects she participated in and the many certifications she obtained. She has designed and delivered a broad spectrum of training courses catering to beginners and seasoned developers in Java, Python, C# and many other languages and frameworks. Next to that, she has authored multiple books and online courses through multiple platforms reaching over 500,000 learners across the globe.

Imke is a multi-talented content creator, co-teacher, and creative soul who can bring any idea to life. With a rare blend of technical insight and artistic flair, she's the creative mind behind much of the illustrated content in Python Illustrated. She aims to make coding fun and accessible. When she's not crafting charming course materials or solving design challenges, she's probably sewing something amazing, running wheelchair skills workshops to empower others with practical tools for independence. Having experienced firsthand how these skills can radically improve quality of life and freedom, she's passionate about paying it forward and helping others navigate the world with more confidence. Imke's creativity, empathy and resourcefulness make her an irreplaceable creative force.