[thinkingeric]

This is a noteworthy objection, and applies to much of Harvey's course at Berkeley as well. I think the rationale for his approach is so that student's don't get tripped up by using only math examples.

Several people have brought up HTDP, which is very much in the same SICP-inspired vein as these other books in the list. I personally find it to be different enough from SICP as to not be considered a precursor to SICP. YMMV.