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Betty Steady and the Fidgety Wizard
- Author
- Nicky Smith-Dale
- Narrator
- Sebastian Humphreys
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 9 October 2025
- Run Time
- 2 hours 41 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Epic fantasy / heroic fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Comic (humorous) fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Mythic fantasy / Myths and Legends fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Humorous stories, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Ponies, horses and related animals, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Superhero stories
What to expect
KNICK-KNACK, PADDY WHACK, BETTY’S BACK!
When the twin princesses fall under a dreadful spell, little Betty and her gang must find the cure — oh, and stop a wicked wizard from building a theme park on the island of Little Dollop. Iced bun, JOB DONE!
For readers of You’re A Bad Man, Mr Gum and Grimwood!
The princesses of Wobbly Rock, Pam and Pamm, have swooned into a coma, thanks to a bunch of poisonous daffodils inadvertently given to them by Betty’s swashbuckling, moustachioed 11-year-old cousin, Freddy Steady. Now the gang must go in search of nefarious weasels on the island of Little Dollop to find the cure. But the wicked sorcerer Hearty Stu has plans of his own for the princesses. And our noble stallion Simon Anderson has plans for Freddy Steady’s SUPER annoying green unicorn Salad whom he doesn’t like even a tiny little bit no sir nuh-uh.
DOCTOR FOSTER WENT TO GLOUCESTER!
Critics Review
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Love for Betty Steady and the Toad Witch:
“Wonderful!” Matt Lucas
"An irrepressible catchphrase-riddled 7+ debut, full of surreal, riotous fun.” Imogen Russell Williams, Guardian
“Jokes by the dozen, enchanted boiled eggs, and real heart … Nicky Smith-Dale's enthusiasm proves infectious.” Emily Bearn, The Daily Telegraph
“This rollicking romp will have youngsters laughing all the way to the final battleground … Funny, joyful, big-hearted, and serving up extra dollops of youthful exuberance, this is an all-action adventure series perfectly fashioned for readers new to chapter books.” Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Evening Post
"Bold, brilliant and toadally bonkers. There’s humour bursting from every page in this madcap adventure about friendship, fighting, and one seriously fearless hero!” Mel Taylor-Bessent
“Betty … Steady … GO!!!!!! You'll race through this hilarious book. A glorious giggle fest!” Anna Brooke, author of Monster Bogey
“Anarchic and silly, with a heroine who is just a bit too big for her boots, this funny debut in the young fiction space will appeal to fans of Mr Gum and Knight Sir Louis” The Bookseller ‘One to Watch'
"I'm a Betty Steady mega fan! This is a joyful and hilarious book packed full of fun.” Jenny McLachlan
“Golly gherkins this is a HOOT! Betty Steady and the Toad Witch is fiercer than an angry ogre and funnier than a tap-dancing chicken” Jack Meggitt-Phillips
'Utterly ridiculous, outstandingly imagined, cleverly written, and fully illustrated, Betty Steady is an absolute delight.’ Louise Ellis-Barrett, Armadillo Magazine
“A cracking, hilarious read! We could all do with more self belief and #bemorebetty" Nazima Pathan, author of Dream Hunters
“An amazing book! I read it in one sitting and it had me laughing all the way through!” Jennifer Bell, author of Magicalia
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Nicky Smith-Dale
- Narrator
- Sebastian Humphreys
- Duration
- 2 hours 41 minutes
- Release Date
- 9 October 2025
- ISBN
- 9780008600426
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Epic fantasy / heroic fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Comic (humorous) fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Mythic fantasy / Myths and Legends fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Humorous stories, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Ponies, horses and related animals, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Superhero stories
Synopsis
KNICK-KNACK, PADDY WHACK, BETTY’S BACK! When the twin princesses fall under a dreadful spell, little Betty and her gang must find the cure — oh, and stop a wicked wizard from building a theme park on the island of Little Dollop. Iced bun, JOB DONE! For readers of You’re A Bad Man, Mr Gum and Grimwood! The princesses of Wobbly Rock, Pam and Pamm, have swooned into a coma, thanks to a bunch of poisonous daffodils inadvertently given to them by Betty’s swashbuckling, moustachioed 11-year-old cousin, Freddy Steady. Now the gang must go in search of nefarious weasels on the island of Little Dollop to find the cure. But the wicked sorcerer Hearty Stu has plans of his own for the princesses. And our noble stallion Simon Anderson has plans for Freddy Steady’s SUPER annoying green unicorn Salad whom he doesn’t like even a tiny little bit no sir nuh-uh. DOCTOR FOSTER WENT TO GLOUCESTER!
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