Screen Time Is Not Forever

Help kids unplug from their devices and establish good habits that will keep them safe online

Screens can help us learn, play, and stay connected. But kids also need plenty of time away from screens to grow, sleep well, play freely, and connect with others in real life. Screen Time Is Not Forever helps children and families understand the importance of moderating their tech use. Using simple language and relatable examples, this encouraging book teaches that screens are just one part of a full and healthy life. Kids learn what to do when it’s time to turn off the tablet or TV―and how to make smart choices when they’re online.

The award-winning Best Behavior® series supports children in learning everyday social-emotional skills, like managing impulses, choosing respectful behavior, and navigating daily boundaries with confidence. Whether the challenge is ending a favorite show or staying screen-safe online, this book helps kids build lifelong habits rooted in self-awareness, balance, and care.

• Demonstrates the importance of device-free time with friends, family, and alone
• Teaches simple safety rules for using screens responsibly and staying safe online
• Encourages positive choices instead of defaulting to screen time out of boredom or habit
• Pairs bright illustrations with clear language to help kids connect to real-life situations
• Expands on the themes in the board book with the same title

Screen Time Is Not Forever helps parents, caregivers, educators, and counselors who want to set screen-time limits without power struggles. Ideal for reading at home or in classrooms, it opens up positive conversations about digital balance and online safety. The book also includes back matter with practical tips and activities to help adults create healthy screen-time routines and guide children in developing tech habits that support their well-being. Great for children who read the board book edition and need an expanded reminder when behaviors resurface.

Elizabeth Verdick has been writing books since 1997, the year her daughter was born. Her two children are the inspiration for nearly everything she writes. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth edited books for children and parents.

These days she writes books for babies, toddlers, teens, and every age in between. She especially loves creating new board books. The Happy Healthy Baby® series is designed to capture the interest of the littlest readers. Elizabeth’s Toddler Tools® series helps young children and their parents cope with those tough times and transitions that happen every day (like naptime and bedtime). In the Best Behavior® series, she helps toddlers reach new milestones and improve their day-to-day behavior.

Elizabeth also enjoys getting the chance to look at the funny side of life in the Laugh and Learn® series, which helps kids ages 8–13 get a handle on the social-emotional skills they’re developing throughout the elementary and middle school years. She’s also coauthor of The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (And Their Parents), which offers kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) their own comprehensive resource for both understanding their condition and finding tools to cope with the challenges they face every day.

Elizabeth lives and writes near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Marieka Heinlen received her BFA at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and also studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.

She launched her career as an award-winning children’s book illustrator with Hands Are Not for Hitting and has illustrated all of the books in the Best Behavior® and Toddler Tools® series. Marieka focuses her work on books and other materials for children, teens, parents, and teachers.

She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband, son, and daughter.