Betty Steady and the Fidgety Wizard (Betty Steady, Book 3)

by Nicky Smith-Dale, Sarah Horne (Illustrator)

Overview

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 wicked weasels on the island of Little Dollop to find the cure. But naughty 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!

"OMIGOSH! Nicky Smith-Dale and Sarah Horne pulled off the hat-trick! THRICE as joyously barmy and TRIPLE as nail-biting as before! A riotous ride of bonkers that’ll have you snorting with laughter from the very first page.” Ramzee, author of The Cheat Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780008600419
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	10/09/2025
Series:	Betty Steady , #3
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishers
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
Age Range:	7 - 9 Years

About the Author

Nicky spent her childhood in daydreams, floating through life in a haze of stories and silliness. When she grew up (and had to impersonate a sensible adult) she tried a few uninspiring career options before discovering that teaching was a lot of fun.

Surrounded by incredible children’s books she was moved to take up her pen and write a story of her own. The result was a bit disappointing but she didn’t give up easily. After years of experimentation she decided to write the silliest story that popped into her brain. (A tale of evil toads and enchanted boiled eggs.) Yeah, it was weird. But weird worked.

Now, Nicky writes from her home in Winchester, where she lives with her husband and two children.

As a child Nicky always had her head in the clouds. Later she pursued a career as a primary school teacher, greatly enjoying encouraging a new generation of creative minds. Sadly, she firmly believed there was no place for her own bonkers stories in an adult world. Then she realised she didn’t have to write for adults after all! Now Nicky enjoys writing funny children’s books from her home in Winchester, where she lives with her husband and two children.

Editorial Reviews

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

From the Publisher