The Parent Agency

The Parent Agency is a children's novel that celebrates ten years of its release with bonus content. Barry Bennett wishes he had better parents, but a world where children can choose their parents seems like a dream come true. However, things turn out to be not quite that simple.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

This remarkable tenth-anniversary edition of the incredibly humorous children's book celebrates a decade of its brilliance. The Parent Agency is an incredible wish-fulfillment journey for every child, as well as the child in everyone. Barry exclaimed for the third time, "I wish I had better parents!" Suddenly, the entire room began to shake.

Barry Bennett detests being called Barry. In fact, it ranks second on his list of things he blames his parents for, following only 1) 'being boring' and 3) 'always being tired'. However, there exists a realm, not far from our own, where parents do not have children. Such a random occurrence is implausible for something as significant and vital. In this world, children have the autonomy to select their parents. For Barry Bennett, this world appears to be a dream come true. Yet, things unravel as expected.

Barry's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, are ordinary people who lead mundane lives. They are not particularly wealthy or influential, and they do not have any extraordinary abilities. Barry, on the other hand, is a gifted child with a keen imagination and a mischievous personality. He has always dreamed of having parents who would support him in his endeavors and encourage him to explore the world.

One day, while browsing the internet, Barry stumbled upon a website that advertised a service called "The Parent Agency." The website claimed that it could help children find their perfect parents, regardless of their background or circumstances. Barry was intrigued and decided to give it a try.

He filled out a questionnaire on the website, providing details about himself and his ideal parents. Within a few days, he received a response from the Parent Agency. They informed him that they had found a match for him and that his new parents were wealthy and influential individuals who lived in a remote part of the world.

Barry was overjoyed and couldn't wait to meet his new parents. He packed his bags and set off on a journey to meet them. When he arrived, he was surprised to find that his new parents were not what he had expected. They were cold and distant, and they seemed to have no interest in him or his dreams.

Barry tried to make the best of his situation, but he soon realized that he was not happy. He missed his old parents and his friends back home. He felt like he had been trapped in a world that was not his own.

One day, Barry stumbled upon a secret passageway that led to a different world. This world was unlike any other he had ever seen before. The trees were tall and majestic, and the flowers were vibrant and colorful. The people who lived in this world were kind and welcoming, and they welcomed Barry with open arms.

Barry spent some time in this world, exploring and learning about its culture and traditions. He made new friends and discovered new abilities and skills. He realized that he was happier in this world than he had ever been in his own.

Eventually, Barry decided to return to his own world. He knew that he would never forget his experience in the other world, but he also knew that he had to find a way to make his own life happy.

When he returned to his own world, Barry was surprised to find that his old parents had changed. They had become more open and warm, and they were interested in learning about Barry's experiences in the other world. Barry was grateful for their change of heart and was able to reconnect with them.

He also realized that he had learned valuable lessons from his experience in the other world. He had learned that it was important to be true to himself and to follow his dreams, even if it meant going against the expectations of others. He had learned that there was more to life than wealth and power, and that true happiness came from within.

In conclusion, The Parent Agency is an incredible wish-fulfillment adventure for every child, as well as the child in everyone. Barry Bennett's journey to find his perfect parents teaches us valuable lessons about self-discovery, courage, and the importance of being true to ourselves. Whether we are children or adults, we can all learn from Barry's story and find our own path to happiness and fulfillment.

Weight: 352g
Dimension: 197 x 128 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008619466
Edition number: 10th Anniversary edition