Bold, fiery and quick to act
Meet Nasty
Nasty acts when feelings get messy. She shows the kind of hurtful behaviour children may encounter and helps readers see how words and choices affect others.
A heart-warming story by Deb Evans
Discover Nasty and Snide
A playful story that helps children and grown-ups understand hurtful behaviour and discover the superpowers of love and kindness.
5.0 from a verified reviewPerfect for Ages 5–10
About the book
A little mischief. A big-hearted message.
Everybody has a Nasty and Snide in their lives, even adults. They hurt our feelings and can make us feel miserable and lonely.
That is when we need the superpowers of Kindness and Love. They help children recognise what is happening, understand their feelings and see that kindness can change what happens next.
This warm, playful story opens the door to meaningful conversations without losing its sense of fun.
When difficult behaviour shows up, better choices can be brave.
- Name difficult feelings
- Recognise hurtful behaviour
- Choose kindness and empathy
Meet the characters
Two troublemakers with a lot to learn
Nasty and Snide bring the mischief. Their choices create the story’s difficult moments and help young readers recognise behaviour that does not feel right.
Sneaky, cheeky and full of attitude
Meet Snide
Snide joins in, encourages trouble and avoids responsibility. His part in the story helps children think about peer behaviour and the courage it takes to choose a better way.
Meet the heroes
Kindness and Love change the story
Bright, brave and full of heart, the heroes bring a different kind of strength: seeing others clearly, offering support and choosing kindness when it matters.
The helping hand
Kindness
Kindness brings warmth, reassurance and hope. He reminds children that support can begin with listening, reaching out and helping someone feel less alone.
The brave heart
Love
Love stands for empathy, courage and care. She shows that responding with kindness is not weakness. It is a powerful choice that can change a difficult moment.
Why this story matters
Big lessons from little characters
A conversation-starting story for families, classrooms and every child learning to navigate big feelings.
Lesson 1 of 3
Choose compassion
See how thoughtful words and actions can shift a difficult situation.
Book details & options
Choose your edition
Kindle
$8.79
Available instantly
Paperback
$21.92
Printed edition
- Reading age
- 5–10 years
- Print length
- 24 pages
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- Balboa Press AU
- Publication date
- 18 December 2025
- Dimensions
- 21.59 × 0.18 × 21.59 cm
Prices shown in AUD and may change on Amazon or Balboa Press.
What readers are saying
A story that starts meaningful conversations
Families and readers are sharing how Nasty and Snide opens warm, honest conversations about kindness, love and better choices.
Activities
Keep the conversation going
Simple ways for families and classrooms to explore the book’s ideas after the final page, with activities.
Activity 01
Talk after reading
Use gentle prompts to name what happened, how each character felt and what could happen next.
Activity 02
Spot a superpower
Invite children to notice moments of love, kindness, empathy or courage in their day.
Activity 03
Make a better choice
Encourage children to think about what the character could do differently.
Printable activities coming soon
About the author
Meet Deb Evans
Deb Evans is a mum to six amazing children and a passionate primary school teacher who has taught in a variety of educational settings. With a lifelong love of stories, Deb believes books have the wonderful power to spark imagination, inspire curiosity and bring a little magic into everyday life.
When she's not teaching or creating adventures on the page, Deb loves supporting children to discover the joy and wonder of books; encouraging them to dream big, laugh often and always turn the next page!
A story with heart
Bring Nasty and Snide home
Share the mischief, meet the heroes and open a conversation about the choices that make a real difference.