Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces
by Sally Barton
ill. Christopher Nielsen
(Walker Books Australia)
Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces by Sally Barton, illustrated by Christopher Nielsen is shortlisted for the 2026 CBCA Books of the Year: Younger Readers.
Congratulations on Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces being shortlisted by the CBCA, Sally, and thank you for speaking to Joy in Books at Paperbark Words blog.
Author Interview: Sally Barton
Where are you based and how are you involved in our children’s literature community?
I live in WA and recently moved to Mandurah from Rockingham which is where we raised our five children. Two of our children, adults now, are dyslexic and it was their struggle at school that led me to study and become a tutor for children with learning differences. This has a big influence on the way I write, hoping my style would attract not only younger advanced readers but also older children who are reluctant to pick up a book. My love of stories and books started when I was a little girl and visited my first library. It’s a feeling I will never forget and still get today when entering a library. I want other children to feel that. To know that inside that building are endless worlds you can become part of simply by reading or listening to a book. I am a member of SCBWI and the CBCWA and love being part of a community that has a passion for promoting reading and books to children.
How does Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces fit into the other books in your Something Terrible series?
Tim is the first book of the series, however, I didn’t think of him as part of a series when I wrote it. I was stranded in the UK during Covid, and as I could no longer tutor, I spent my time writing. Tim was an idea I had to encourage one of my students to possibly engage with a story. I discovered my ‘style’ when writing Tim, and this then led to Becky, Wanda and Sam. There are a few other stories tucked away too. Tim, Becky, Wanda and Sam are all kids that live on Rufus Street and go to the same school. They all don’t listen to good advice, and all have ridiculous adventures because of it.
How have you combined fast-paced storytelling and layers of meaning in Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces?
I found as I was writing Tim, the story just took its own course. I wanted it to be a funny, exaggerated, absurd story, the extreme of what could happen if you don’t tie your shoelaces. The educational elements, such as what he would have learned at school, and the introduction of fatbergs weren’t planned in Tim, they just evolved to became part of the story as I wrote it. I loved that part and actively added it to the other books in the series.
How have you made this book so much fun?
I’ve always had a love of the ridiculous, stories that didn’t quite make sense. I remember vividly my mother reading the Owl and the Pussycat and Alice in Wonderland to me. When I was young, my favourite cartoons were Roger Ramjet and George of the Jungle. Silly, nonsensical storylines that I just adored. I wanted to introduce readers to this style of storytelling, to engage them with humour and encourage imaginative thinking.
How have you made your writing so sensory?
When I write, I write in pictures almost like watching the storyline. As I visualise each scene, I try to introduce a rich vocabulary to accurately describe how things feel and look for the characters so the reader can feel it too.
What do you find the most putrid part of the underground setting?
The slime is pretty gross, as is the fatberg, but I love the flatulence bubbles. Not sure where in my head they came from, but foetid, glowing green blobs, clinging to the wall were an obvious resident of this sewer, and an irresistible temptation for a child to poke, especially after being warned not to touch.
What is it with peas in this story?
I wish I could say. There is no rationality for the peas. They just appeared as I wrote and have become a slightly absurd prop in the other books. It would seem that Mr Willbanks was so safety conscious that not only did he hang danger signs, but he also had concerns for people’s diet.
Which of Christopher Nielsen’s illustrations captures the essence of the terrible event (or one of them) in this book for you? (How?)
When I wrote Tim, I had a sense of who the characters were, but no real idea of what they looked like. Christopher’s illustrations changed all that. He drew the characters to perfection. My very favourite illustration is of Mr Wilbanks and Tim being propelled from the sewer in the boat. It was one of the first illustrations I saw, and I knew immediately that was exactly how Tim and Mr Wilbanks should look.
What impact has being a shortlisted CBCA book had on you or the book so far?
When I wrote Tim, I had a sense of who the characters were, but no real idea of what they looked like. Christopher’s illustrations changed all that. He drew the characters to perfection. My very favourite illustration is of Mr Wilbanks and Tim being propelled from the sewer in the boat. It was one of the first illustrations I saw, and I knew immediately that was exactly how Tim and Mr Wilbanks should look.
What is one way you would suggest using Something Terrible: Tim Tie Your Shoelaces in schools?
I think Tim could be used in many ways in schools from teaching lace tying to discussion on any of the things Tim didn’t learn, as well as environmental issues such as fatbergs. When writing Tim and the others, I rely heavily on synonym and alliteration which is another topic that could be used in teaching.
What’s a sneak peak into the next book in the series?
Becky Brush Your Hair came out the same time as Tim, followed by Wanda Wear Your Glasses and recently Sam Stop Your Frowning. Becky, as the title suggests, doesn’t brush her hair and as warned, birds make it their home. Rare birds. Birds that only live in the dense, dark, deep rainforest but will travel thousands of kilometres in search of unbrushed hair. But when you have rare birds in your hair there is only place you can live until they hatch, and that is in the zoo, next to a flamboyance of flamingos and a party of peacock.
Could you tell us something about your picture book Goodnight Sheep?
Goodnight Sheep is a rhyming picture book about a little girl called Lily May who cannot get to sleep. Her mother encourages her to count sheep, but Lily finds out very quickly her sheep have other ideas. They would much rather play than be counted. Goodnight Sheep is illustrated by Cherie Dignam and published by Fremantle Press. It came out the same time as Tim and Becky.
Something Terrible: Tim Tie-Your-Shoelaces at Walker Books
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