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The Parent Agency by David Baddiel (view source)
Revision as of 09:37, 11 August 2020
, 09:37, 11 August 2020no edit summary
Once the basic premise is established, there aren't many surprises in this story, nor is the outcome of his searching really in doubt. Even the children who run the Parent Agency, and who somehow look just like people he thinks he used to know, begin to find him a teensy bit too demanding. The pleasure of this story lies in the comic excesses of the parents he chooses, and their frantic, over-the-top efforts to persuade him to stay with them. He makes his choice of five pairs of candidates based on the fact that they are the exact opposite of his parents' worst shortcomings, and he soon finds himself surrounded by offers of wealth, fame and freedom. Readers will laugh out loud at the ridiculous situations he gets himself into, the eccentricity of the adults, and the abundance of smelliness, stickiness and general gloopiness. After all, if in doubt, throw in a bucket of sick or a cow-pat!
There is, of course, a happy ending (some readers may feel a happier one that Barry deserves) and while the moral of the story is somewhat transparent, the energy and enthusiasm of the story-telling compensates compensate to a large extent. It's funny and silly, and will, at the very least, while away a wet afternoon.
If you like funny, try books by the other David – Walliams, that is. He has a wild and zany humour that appeals to young readers. Bookbag enjoyed [[Billionaire Boy by David Walliams|Billionaire Boy]], [[Ratburger by David Walliams|Ratburger]], [[Demon Dentist by David Walliams|Demon Dentist]] and especially [[The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams and Quentin Blake|The Boy in the Dress]] which is illustrated by the fabulous Quentin Blake. We've also enjoyed [[AniMalcolm by David Baddiel and Jim Field]].
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