The Parent Agency
David Baddiel, Jim Field
Subjects
- Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
- Funny Stuff - rib ticklers to make you fall off your chair
Average rating
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
Very funny, but quite easy. Nice illustration too
Anonymous 02.02.2018
Star Reviewer
It was a really good book about The main character being in a new world where he gets to choose his parents but at the end he actually wakes up from a comma!
Commander Chilli Vegas 08.11.2025
It’s really good because it’s about a boy that thought he went up to his bedroom but he tripped up and went into a 5 day coma. But he thought he went into a portal to a different world to choose new parents. It was very funny and interesting!
Lady Amazonia Menace 04.10.2025
I liked each time the parents rejected him
Coach Panther Bubble-wrap 29.09.2025
I liked every time the parents rejected Barry
Baroness Pansy Sherbet 28.09.2025
Good would recommend
Judge Switch Eggybread 18.09.2025
I liked this book but found a lot of the talking about football tricky to understand
Senorita Lacey Armchair 02.09.2025
I have read this so many times over and over again! Loved it
Captain Bubbles Paperclip 31.08.2025
This was a really good book I enjoyed the concept and the deep meaning at the end I really loved the references and it was just a charming book definitely recommending
Baroness Diamond Pinkerton 21.08.2025
I didn’t like Barry. He was annoying, spoilt, and couldn’t handle the word no. Even when he was picked with the perfect parents (Vlassorina) he refused to change his name, which was the thing he always loathed the most. Otherwise, this book was funny and full of warmth!
General Wanda Eragon 21.08.2025
The Parent Agency is a very imaginative story showing that all parents are amazing.I would recommend this book to someone else because they might like the story too.
Commander Chester Frankenstein 09.08.2025
Hilariously funny ! One of my new favourite books ! I Think this book shows you don't know what you've got till it's gone so enjoy and appreciate the things you do have and not be thinking all the time on what you don't have . My favourite part was when he played football at wobbly stadium and he collapsed of tiredness and got taken off on a stretcher with a teddy bear and a blanket !
Principal Tuesday Lavalamp 03.08.2025
Star Reviewer
I real life lesson that no matter how many parents you try put, your real parents are the best.
Lieutenant Gargoyle Bojangles 29.07.2025
This is a hilarious book and it tells you a story about what you have is a lot lot better than what you want
Queen Sapphire Piccalilli 27.07.2025
Star Reviewer
I liked how he wanted different parents but when he tried them out he realised his parents were the best
Captain Mistral Mystery 26.07.2025
Fiction. Easy to read. Quickly immersed in the story. I would recommend this book to others who like to read.
Professor Angora Jamboree 16.07.2025
A bit boring
Superintendent Viktor Custard 28.06.2025
I loved it! It told me that parents are really important
Dame Kiki Eggybread 06.02.2025
This was a really funny book! It was a fiction book by a comedian, my favourite character was the two twins but I also like Barry and the celebrity couple. The list that Barry made completely cracked me up, I thought it was legendary. Overall I loved it it was quite long but the concept was really good. I would defiantly recommend this book to someone else.
Officer Iggy Arlington 12.09.2024
This was a good fictional story but it wasn’t my favourite.
Count Arthur Toothpaste 03.09.2024
