Screen Time!

By Author / Illustrator

Georgie Birkett

Genre

Picture Books

Age range(s)

Publisher

Walker Books

ISBN

9781529527513

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

12-03-2026

Synopsis

In Georgie Birkett's sunny, funny Cheery Street world, we meet sweet baby badger Doris who loves to play . . . until she discovers SCREEN TIME.

For screen-swiping kids and text-tapping parents who need a screen break and want to manage and balance time online with OTHER fun activities. This friendly picture book tackles the important and timely issue of excessive screen time in a funny and light-hearted way, offering gentle alternatives to technology through playtime, community and friendship.

Doris loves screen time. Whether it is on Mummy or Daddy's phones, the tablet or her favourite TV show "Bertie Banana", she wants NOTHING ELSE. So, one day, with all devices left at home, Daddy and Doris go to Cheery Woods where, through playing with her friends, Doris's imagination is set alight! Could this be the start of a Cheery Club? Soon, Doris realises that although some screen time is OK - facetiming grandparents! - it is no match for her own imagination.

Look out for more Cheery Street titles that parents and kids love: Carry Me! A Cheery Street story for kids who don't want to walk; Snack, Please! A Cheery Street story to help kids eat their meals; Bedtime is Boring! A Cheery Street story for kids who won't go to sleep

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Reviews

Linda

I absolutely loved sharing Screen Time! with my three-year-old. The story gently explores the idea of putting screens down and engaging with the world around us, which feels like such an important message to introduce early on. It encourages children to think about balance without ever feeling preachy or judgemental toward parents, which I really appreciated.

The illustrations are beautiful and full of little details that invite you to pause and look more closely. My child loved spotting all the tiny creatures and background elements on each page, which made it a really interactive reading experience. What makes this book work so well is that the message comes through naturally in the story, rather than feeling like a lecture. It opens up conversations about screen time in a positive, child-friendly way.

I can easily see this being a fantastic book to share in EYFS or Year 1 classrooms. It would work brilliantly for group discussions about technology, outdoor play, and noticing the world around us. A warm, engaging read with a message that feels very relevant for young children today.

Picture book / Reviewed by Linda Canning, teacher