Polly and the Screen Time Overload

By Betsy Childs Howard, Illustrated by Samara Hardy

... Show All

Polly and the Screen Time Overload

By Betsy Childs Howard, Illustrated by Samara Hardy

... Show All

Introducing Kids to the Importance of Boundaries with Technology

Polly loves visiting her grandparents on their farm every year. She looks forward to seeing the animals, helping out in the barn, and playing with her cousins.

That’s until she gets a new tablet as a present. Suddenly, she spends all day inside playing games and watching cartoons. Staring at her tablet screen, Polly risks missing out on all the family fun happening around her on the farm.

With easy-to-understand language and engaging illustrations, Polly’s story will help families start an ongoing conversation about self- control and how to enjoy technology within boundaries.


Author:

Betsy Childs Howard

Betsy Childs Howard (MA, Beeson Divinity School) is an editor for the Gospel Coalition. She is the author of Arlo and the Great Big Cover-Up and Seasons of Waiting. Betsy lives with her family in Birmingham, Alabama, where her husband pastors Grace Church.

Illustrator:

Samara Hardy

Samara Hardy is a freelance illustrator and designer who creates artwork for greeting cards, stationery, housewares, children’s books, and more. She has worked with clients across the globe, such as Hallmark, Trader Joe’s, Oxford University Press, and American Greetings.

Product Details

Title: Polly and the Screen Time Overload
Published: May 10, 2022
ISBN-10: 1-4335-7788-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-7788-8
Category: Children & Youth
Retail Price: $14.99
Binding: Hardcover
Trim: 8.5 in x 8.5 in
Page Count: 40 (32 + 8)

Endorsements

“Technology—like any good tool—can go wrong when we become enslaved to it. This is a lesson today’s parents, as well as their children who are digital natives, need to hear often, and in many different ways. Polly and the Screen Time Overload is a fun, timely conversation starter for families who recognize that our media habits have as much to do with spiritual formation as they do with screen time.”
Brett McCracken, Senior Editor, The Gospel Coalition; author, The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World

“Our children are surrounded by technology—TVs, computers, phones, video games, and tablets. Just like our children need guidance in choosing healthy foods over sugary snacks, they need help learning how to manage their consumption of screen time. Polly and the Screen Time Overload by Betsy Howard is a wonderful opportunity to start the conversation about technology with our children from a young age. With lovely illustrations and an insightful message, this book helps children (and their parents!) understand all the fun they may miss out on by spending too much time on screens.”
Melissa B. Kruger, author; Vice President of Discipleship Programming, The Gospel Coalition

Polly and the Screen Time Overload is an engaging and practical way to talk with children about screen time. My kiddos did not want the story to end! I’m grateful for a biblically faithful resource that winsomely reminds us to keep technology in its proper place.”
Hunter Beless, Founder, Journeywomen; author, Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It! and Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned to Pray

“Trying to help kids understand the need for self-control regarding screens is hard. That's why I'm thankful for this new resource that provides a conversation starter with my kids in the form of an engaging story. This book is for any parent looking for a way to limit screens and also teach your children why you're taking the iPad away!”
Courtney Reissig, author, Teach Me to Feel: Worshiping through the Psalms in Every Season of Life

"With lovely illustrations and an insightful message, this book helps children (and their parents!) understand all the fun they may miss out on by spending too much time on screens.”

Melissa B. Kruger

Director of Women’s Content, The Gospel Coalition; author, Growing Together