Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces

by Sally Barton, Christopher Nielsen (Illustrator)

Genres: Humor

96 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

From the age of six, when Sally Barton took her first book from the library, words and stories became an important part of her life. She not only spends her days creating fictional worlds for both adults and children, but she also passes this love and knowledge on to her students as a tutor for children with learning differences. Sally previously worked for the police, but was happiest at her job in a public library while she finished her degree in Legal Studies. Sally is an avid amateur genealogist and loves to travel.

Reviews

[Teacher Librarian Janet]

A fun cautionary tale full of adventure and fun for those dabbling into chapter books. Illustrations sparking imagination as Tim finds out what can happen when you don’t tie your shoelaces! Action packed and funny to boot, I highly recommend for grades 1-3, particularly older emerging readers.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun (but slightly yucky) story for kids! it introduces some new words that a reader might not know yet which is good for building vocabulary.
this is a short book with pictures and varied typography so it is likely to keep a child engaged.
loses a star because there is lots of heavy handed “listen to your parents” and “adults are right all the time” (and “eat your vegetables”) messages which might annoy a reader.
but i found it fun and silly!

[Middle Grade Musings · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Mr Wilbanks’ words were so petrifying, the hairs on the back of Tim’s neck stood up straight and a chill raced down his spine.’

MGM Review 56 - Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces - @sallybeewrites and @christophernielsen - @walkerbooksaus

Short and sharp and recently announced on the @cbca younger readers book of the year shortlist, prepare yourself for a hilarious and wild adventure down in the sewers.

Tim Mulligan is a normal boy, except of course for the fact he never ties his shoelaces, despite everyone telling him to. But he doesn’t listen, nor care, until one day he accidentally trips on his laces and ends up sliding into the sewers of his town. Suddenly he’s thrust into a world he knew nothing about, where indescribable smells and horrifying creatures lurk around every corner. Will Tim find his way out of the sewer in time or will he be condemned to a life underground with the putrid smells and creatures?

I had read this book back in August last year, and thoroughly enjoyed the quick read, but it wasn’t until I recently read it out loud to my class, did I truly appreciate how brilliant it is and its obvious attraction to children. Sally and Chris have combined to create a hilarious read full of all the disgusting things kids like to laugh about, and tad bit of mystery about what lies below. My students loved the humour and ridiculousness - who wouldn’t laugh about Flatulence Bubbles, Fatbergs and a slightly eccentric sewer worker. They were also enthralled by the incredible illustrations that brought to life some very disgusting experiences.
The combination of alliteration, onomatopoeia, action verbs, and a clever visual layout with effective changes in font, shape and direction, made for a rollicking read that is perfect for the reluctant reader. And the best thing is, it’s part of a wider series about other kids who don’t pay enough attention. It even sparked a discussion in my class about how we could write similar stories.

Congratulations Sally and Chris on the shortlist announcement. It is throughly well deserved!

#loveozmg #middlegradereads #middlegradebooks #mgreads #mgbooks

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as short listed for CBCA younger readers 2026.
A cute fast paced read for early readers - strong year 1, perfect for year 2.
Tim is a typical kid who never does his shoelaces and is warned it will cause him problems, but doesn’t listen. And of course bad things happen. He falls in a sewer and has to battle a few challenges and fight off a crocodile to get out of the sewer with Mr Wilbanks.
The fun thing about this book is the way the words are written - emphasis on adjectives and expression and the font sizes change to reflect this. There are facts thrown in throughout the story that could make it a discussion topic.
I think it would be a great read aloud where students can draw the sewer based on the descriptions.
It’s part of the Something Terrible series

[Karla Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this due to it being shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA awards.
This was a fun, fast paced story ideal for younger readers. The use of alliteration, humour and typography throughout was cleverly done (not to mention the toilet talk), and I can see many young readers being highly entertained by the story.

[CeCe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining, great for young readers who are ready for chapter books. Terrific illustrations and varied typography add to the story. Shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Book of the Year Award- Younger Readers.

[Gobo JG · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tries too hard.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, fun read that is perfect for newly independent readers with its accompanying illustrations and varied typography.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy reading book for kids with lots of images and attempts at humour. Young boys would probably like this best.

[Helen.Styan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous little story. Love the way she writes, like she is talking to you the reader. Kept the suspense high and the action going. No wonder it was shortlisted 2026.

[Kerry McCaffery · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book for young readers about Tim who, despite being told numerous times, doesn't tie his shoe laces which of course, causes him fall into dark, smelly, dangerous spaces! A quick read.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

CBCA shortlisted - a fun little story with lots of interesting big words.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim learns the hard way that he needs to tie his shoe-laces when he trips and falls down a drain into the sewer. There he meets Mr Wilbanks the sewer man, on a dangerous task to remove the sewer monster lurking in the depths.

Great fun with humorous black and white illustrations, different fonts to add emphasis and lots of descriptive words for all things nasty, slimy and dangerous.

CBCA 2026 Younger Reader Notable title.
CBCA 2025 Younger Reader Shortlist title.