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Betty Steady and the Queen’s Orb
- Author
- Nicky Smith-Dale
- Narrator
- Sebastian Humphreys
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 16 January 2025
- Run Time
- 2 hours 38 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: Sporting stories
What to expect
Betty and her Wobbly Rock pals are are off to celebrate the famous Turnip Festival in the kingdom of Upper Crust. Betty is still as tiddly as a piece of toast. What could possibly go wrong THIS time?
For readers of You’re A Bad Man, Mr Gum and Grimwood!
The VIPs of Wobbly Rock can’t wait to attend Queen McNiff’s legendary Turnip Festival in the neighbouring kingdom of Upper Crust. But when Betty meets a fashionable forest sprite called Misty Jamjar, it dawns on her that perhaps her old pals aren’t as sophisticated as she once thought.
Misty convinces Betty that being small ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. If Betty can help Misty break into the Queen’s heavily guarded vault, they might just be able to gain access to the Orb of Ogg. This legendary Orb has the potential to change Betty back to her original, stunning height. GOLLY GHERKINS! It’s not as if Misty Jamjar is a secret baddy or anything. And Betty isn’t going to accidentally become as tall as a massive giant. That would be ridiculous.
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 38 minutes
- Release Date
- 16 January 2025
- ISBN
- 9780008600396
- 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: Sporting stories
Synopsis
Betty and her Wobbly Rock pals are are off to celebrate the famous Turnip Festival in the kingdom of Upper Crust. Betty is still as tiddly as a piece of toast. What could possibly go wrong THIS time? For readers of You’re A Bad Man, Mr Gum and Grimwood! The VIPs of Wobbly Rock can’t wait to attend Queen McNiff’s legendary Turnip Festival in the neighbouring kingdom of Upper Crust. But when Betty meets a fashionable forest sprite called Misty Jamjar, it dawns on her that perhaps her old pals aren’t as sophisticated as she once thought. Misty convinces Betty that being small ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. If Betty can help Misty break into the Queen’s heavily guarded vault, they might just be able to gain access to the Orb of Ogg. This legendary Orb has the potential to change Betty back to her original, stunning height. GOLLY GHERKINS! It’s not as if Misty Jamjar is a secret baddy or anything. And Betty isn’t going to accidentally become as tall as a massive giant. That would be ridiculous.
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