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The Parent Agency

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The Parent Agency by David Baddiel, and Jim Field

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By David Baddiel, and and, Jim Field

avg rating

508 reviews

A brilliantly funny, gripping novel – and the bestselling hardback children’s debut of 2014 – from a born storyteller, The Parent Agency is an epic wish-fulfilment adventure for every child – and for the child in everyone.

“I wish I had better parents!” Barry said, a third time. And then suddenly the entire room started to shake… Barry Bennett hates being called Barry. In fact it’s number 2 on the list of things he blames his parents for, along with 1) ‘being boring’ and 3) ‘always being tired’. But there is a world, not far from this one, where parents don’t have children. That’s far too random for something so big and important. In this world, children are allowed to choose their parents. For Barry Bennett, this world seems like a dream come true. Only things turn out to be not quite that simple… Illustrated by Roald Dahl Funny Prize winner, Jim Field.

Reviews

06 Feb 2024

Barry had boring parents, children can also choose there own parents but when Barry meets all of the parents he asked for was still not enough for Barry. His birthday was in 5 days but know he still hadn't got a good parent form the parent agency after that he was in a hospital and his friends and his parents were here even the doctor but somehow they where they where wearing kind of some weird dresses.

15 Jan 2024

My favourite character is Morrissina because she is beautiful.I don't like the sport people.

05 Jan 2024

I liked the content and storyline. I also liked the fun and weird characters and yes I would recommend it to anyone else.

02 Dec 2023

I didnt really like this book because I found it a bit lacking on action. It is about a boy who doesn't like his parents for a list of reasons. He goes to another land and tests out new parents!

24 Sep 2023

Brilliant

14 Sep 2023

I enjoyed this book and that it made me realise just how important family and friends and that we should not take them for granted.

09 Sep 2023

This book is really interesting and funny.

30 Aug 2023

This was a fun book, full of laughs and enjoyment. My favourite character would be Barry, as he gets up to lots of fun things whilst trying to pick his perfect parents, a lot of stuff that I'd like to do! I would recommend this book to people who like a laugh and are age 7+.

27 Aug 2023

This book is about a boy who finds his parents very boring,but has a dream about a world where children can choose their own parents ...

24 Aug 2023

In this book, children get to choose their parents when a boy called Barry says he wishes he had different parents and goes into another world. It was funny and I enjoyed it.

23 Aug 2023

This was a fiction book in the world of imagination. Flying through a world of adventure. My favourite character is Barry as the parents he pick are weird and cool. i would definitely recommend this book.

21 Aug 2023

The parent agency is a book about an agency where you get to pick your parents. The main character is Barry , a boy who wishes he had better parents.

18 Aug 2023

My favourite parents in his dream were the TSE's parents because they were kind and they didn't argue with him and got him whatever he wanted.

16 Aug 2023

amazing book read it a while ago but it is just so good i re-read it and still a blockbuster. david baddiel is such a talented writer.

16 Aug 2023

When Barry storms into his bedroom and shouts, I need better parents he gets transported to a world where kids are the grown up's and get to choose their carers.
But what will happen to Barry?

16 Aug 2023

It was an entertaining and enjoyable read and it was a really funny novel

16 Aug 2023

I think this is suitable for my sister.

15 Aug 2023

I thought it was good
and would highly recomend it.

11 Aug 2023

A fictional book. In this book it’s about a boy wanting better parents, the boy goes on a little adventure in this book.

09 Aug 2023

I like the main character, Barry the most because he is brave and funny. I would recommend this book if you enjoy a light-hearted, humorous novel

04 Aug 2023

I love this book and I would totally recommend this to anyone 7+

04 Aug 2023

A good book with excellent quality and imagination

03 Aug 2023

This is a fictional story about a boy called Barry who is about to turn 10 years old in five days time. Barry’s parents aren’t as nice to him as they are to his twin sisters. When Barry wishes he had better parents, he teleports to another magical world where he begins his journey of finding the perfect parents for him.
I highly recommend this book to others as it is hilarious and definitely worth reading.

02 Aug 2023

It is a brilliant book which had a giant twist.

30 Jul 2023

I didn't like how it started but later it became more interesting. I will recommend it to you.

22 Jul 2023

This book is amazing I would recommend it to people who like adventure.

17 Jul 2023

Such an amazing book.

12 Jul 2023

I really liked how imaginative the author was. I really liked how he met different parents and got to pick his parents! It is really fun and I think that all age groups between 7-11 will love this book. My favourite characters were probably his sister's.

10 Jul 2023

I like this book I would recommend it to others.

10 Jul 2023

This was a fiction book and I liked the main character Barry the most but he went into a new world where he could choose his parents.

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