Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces (Something Terrible #1) (Sally Barton, illus Christopher Nielsen, Walker)

‘Tim, tie your shoelaces – or something TERRIBLE will happen!’ Tim Mulligan hears this all the time – from his mum and dad, the neighbours, the crossing guard and even his sister. But really, how bad could untied shoelaces be? Then, one day, one misstep sends Tim tumbling head-first down an open manhole, dragging his unlucky neighbour, Mr Wilbanks, with him. For readers aged 6 and up, this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud adventure is packed with messy mayhem, page-turning tension and just the right amount of gross-out fun. Lost in the sewers beneath Rufus Street, in a maze of rats, fatbergs, flatulence bubbles and teeth-gnashing crocodiles, Tim and Mr Wilbanks have to find a way back to the surface. And if that weren’t hard enough, there’s something else lurking in the shadows – a monster that adds to the chaos. Debut author Sally Barton’s sharp, playful writing brings this action-packed story to life. With an omniscient narrator who cheekily nudges the reader along, the book is perfect for independent readers. Christopher Nielsen’s grayscale illustrations brim with character, adding extra layers of humour to every scene. The book’s clever design by Nicolette Treanor makes great use of typography and layouts, creating an interactive reading experience where text and images flow seamlessly together. Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces is the first book in the Something Terrible series and is ideal for fans of Kate and Jol Temple, Paul Jennings, and Andy Griffiths.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Brenton Cullen is a Queensland-based writer and reviewer with ten years' experience working in bookshops. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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