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See XML Document RequestedRosie says...
One of the best ways of learning CSS is to actually get in there and work with the code. Cascading Style Sheets: A Beginner's Guide gives you ample opportunity to play around with code samples that are available online, detailing cases when the code is browser specific (thus saving unnecessary head-banging or hair-pulling!).
While the content of the book is certainly very readable, the layout and positioning of some of the tables and examples is likely to cause some initial confusion. The problem arises because the headings for related content such as figures and tables are placed at the bottom, making it very easy to read on into the additional content, particularly when section summary tables do not immediately follow on from the section they relate to. Thankfully the actual code samples are much easier to identify. Despite this issue with usability, the tables contain relevant information that is designed for the first time user. There are also plenty of examples to work from, as well as screen shots, which help to explain concepts that might be difficult to grasp.
While Cascading Style Sheets: A Beginner's Guide is a great introduction to the use and application of style sheets, it will serve little use as a quick reference despite having an appendix entitled "CSS 1 Quick Reference". The information needed to make it double up as a reference book is sadly lacking, in particular specifics about browser support for the individual selectors and properties. Infact, the only place browser compatibility is even hinted at is when the properties are first introduced during the course of the book. Describing support as strong, inconsistent or weak is of little use if you want to know exactly what browsers are likely to have problems with your code, but you don't have the facilities to test it out yourself.
Overall, this book does what it sets out to do, provide those new to CSS an insight into CSS. Having said that, there isn't all that much here that is new to anyone who has worked with style sheets before, so it's perhaps best left to the beginners.
- Readability: 5
- Reference: 3
- Reusability: 3
- Examples: 4
- User Level: Beginner
- Score: 15/20
Module List
- Part 1: A Painless Introduction to CSS
- HTML and CSS: Focus on the Similarities
- Understanding and Using Selectors
- Surveying CSS Properties
- Applying Values
- Understanding Cascade and Inheritance
- Part 2: Exploring the CSS Toolbox
- Working with Font Properties
- Work with Text Properties
- Applying Color and Background Properties
- Using Box Properties
- Applying the Descriptive Properties
- Part 3: Designing with CSS
- The Visual Model
- CSS Visual Effects
- CSS and Site Design
- Advantages CSS
- Part 4: Appendixes
- Answers to Mastery Checks
- CSS 1 Quick Reference
Other Information
A sample module, HTML and CSS: Focus on the Similarities, is available from the Osborne Web Site. Code samples supporting the various projects and activities are also available.
Rather than having chapters, Cascading Style Sheets: A Beginner's Guide structures it's content in modules. Each module is a self contained unit complete with projects and one minute drills to help you absorb ideas and concepts through active learning.
The module list, book cover image and sample chapter are used with kind permission from Osborne McGraw-Hill.