Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made is so funny and engaging that as my nine-year-old son sat reading it on the tram, giggling away, he completely missed his stop, twice! In fact, all of the members of my household, children and adults, read and loved this book.

Along with his polar bear sidekick, Timmy Failure runs a detective agency, which he claims is perhaps the best in the nation (modesty is not his strong point). Timmy takes his detective business very seriously indeed; however, his complete lack of actual skills or insight sees him blundering his way from one misunderstanding to another. Author Stephan Pastis’ clever use of drawings and comics not only adds to the charm, humour and accessibility of the text, but also serves to show the reader much of what Timmy misses or misinterprets.

This book will definitely appeal to reluctant readers and established book lovers alike. Highly recommended for mums, dads, girls and boys ages 8 and up. We’re living in hope of another hilarious tram-stop-missing instalment.

Kate Campbell is a bookseller at Readings Hawthorne. This review was written in collaboration with Blake Williams (9), Clay Williams (11) and Steve Williams.