The Liking Tree is a satirical picture book about kids, social media, screens, and the bottomless hunger for digital attention. First released in 2020 as a darkly funny parody of The Giving Tree, this 2025 second edition has been totally re-illustrated by the author and kicks off "Screen Time Tales" — a new series of witty, subversive stories that help kids (and parents) laugh their way into better screen habits.
THE LIKING TREE - 2025 EDITION
Hardcover & Paperback, 54 pp.
Praise for The Liking Tree
THE STORY
When two children befriend a strange tree, they quickly become enchanted by its flattery & dazzling distractions. But time goes by, and as the tree’s true nature is revealed, the children must decide whether to live by its lonely rules, or walk away to rediscover the joys of real life and true friendship.
RECOMMENDED READING
Essential books & writing on understanding social media’s corrosive impact on contemporary childhood and society.
WHY THIS BOOK NOW?
Today’s kids are growing up in a world where screen time isn't just a habit—it's an all-consuming lifestyle. Social media, likes, follows, and filters are shaping how children think, connect, and see themselves. But how do you talk to a kid about all that without sounding like some tedious grown-up scold?
The Liking Tree offers a different approach: humor, imagination, and just enough weirdness to spark real conversations. It’s a funny picture book that helps kids think critically about screen time, social media, and what it means to be seen—without ever wagging a finger.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just someone who’s tired of watching kids disappear into devices, this story is a playful way to plant a few unplugged seeds.
A LITTLE BACKSTORY
Originally published as The Liking Tree: An Antisocial Media Fable (2020), my playfully dystopian, Facebook-flavored spin on The Giving Tree was unfortunately released just days before COVID-19 shut down the world. With schools suddenly closed and every kid on Earth glued to screens while mom and dad heavily self-medicated with sourdough, this was a no-good, terrible time to release a cautionary fable about social media. The launch fizzled. I moved on.
But now, five years later, I decided to pick up a pencil (okay, a stylus) and re-illustrate the entire book as a Second Edition to launch my forthcoming Screen Time Tales series. The 2020 edition’s illustrations were great, but I wanted to take a crack at it in my own scrappy, kinda unhinged style—the one I’d originally pictured while writing it. And honestly? I’m pretty chuffed with how it turned out. I hope you like it, too.
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- John Allen Wooden