Collected Journalism

Written especially for WBD 2016, this is a fabulously entertaining and touching novella from David Baddiel, author of the bestselling THE PARENT AGENCY and THE PERSON CONTROLLER.

 Illustrated by the hugely talented Jim Field, winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.

 Alfie has a routine. To be honest he has a lot of routines.

 But then one day Alfie's babysitter is unavailable, and Alfie's parents get Mrs Stokes instead. Mrs Stokes doesn't do routines. Instead, she just tells Alfie to do what he likes. And that's when things start to go weird.

 Does everything get hilariously out of control? Yes.

 Does Alfie learns a valuable lesson? Nah. This isn't that kind of story.

The Boy Who Could Do What He Liked

Three hilarious novels of heart, humour and wishes gone wrong, from the new star of children's books - by award-winning and bestselling author, David Baddiel.

 Illustrated by Jim Field - winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.

 THE PARENT AGENCY: Barry said, a third time, "I wish I had better parents!" 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.

 THE PERSON CONTROLLER: Fred and Ellie are twins. But not identical (because that's impossible for a boy and a girl). They do like all the same things, though. Especially video games. Which they are very good at. They aren't that good, however, at much else - like, for example, football, or dealing with the school bullies.

 Then, they meet the Mystery Man, who sends them a video game controller, which doesn't look like any other controller they've ever seen. And it doesn't control any of their usual games. When the twins find out what it does control, though, it seems like the answer to all their problems. And the key to all their wildest dreams. At least it seems like that.

 ANIMALCOLM: Malcolm doesn't like animals. Which is a problem because his family love them. Their house is full of pets. What the house is NOT full of is stuff Malcolm likes. Such as the laptop he wanted for his birthday.

 The only bright spot on the horizon is the Year 6 school trip, until Malcolm realizes it's heading to.oh no. The farm.

 Over the next days, Malcolm changes. He learns a lot about animals. More, in many ways, than he would like. He learns what it's really like to be an animal.

 It does make him think differently. And speak differently. And eat differently. But will he end up the same as he was before? Because sometimes the hardest thing to become is. yourself.

The Blockbuster Baddiel Collection - The Parent Agency; The Person Controller; AniMalcolm

Chrissie loves trains. She has train books, train pictures - and, of course, model trains.

 But Chrissie has never been on an actual train. In part, because Chrissie doesn't find getting around as easy as other people.

 Then, Chrissie finally gets on a train, with her Grandpa Henry, to go down to London for an important operation.

 Her parents and Henry hope the journey will take Chrissie's mind off things. And they're right: but in a way they couldn't possibly imagine.

 Because Chrissie's trip from Scotland to London turns out to be quite literally magical - and is going to change Chrissie's life forever.

The Girl Who Had Never Been on a Train

Malcolm déteste les animaux. Tous les animaux.
Alors, quand, lors d'une classe verte, il se retrouve métamorphosé en tortue, c'est la catastrophe !
Et le pire, c'est qu'il change d'espèce à chaque fois qu'il s'assoupit !
Tour à tour chat, mouton ou cochon, Malcolm découvre un monde délirant, bien plus drôle que celui des humains.
Retrouvera-t-il un jour son corps de garçon ?
Ce qui est sûr, c'est qu'il ne regardera plus jamais les animaux comme avant !

AniMalcolm

Barry Bennet en a marre. Marre de s'appeler Barry, déjà. Encore une brillante idée de ses parents, ces gens ennuyeux et toujours fatigués. Et la liste des reproches qu'il a à leur faire est longue !
Mais il existe un monde où ce ne sont pas les parents qui font les enfants. Hors de question de laisser une telle responsabilité au hasard !
Dans ce monde, grâce à l'agence Parents à la carte, chaque enfant peut choisir ses parents. Et même en essayer plusieurs. Jusqu'à trouver les parents parfaits.
Pour Barry, ce monde-là est un monde de rêve.
Mais il s'avère que ce n'est pas aussi simple...

Parents à la carte. Choisis la famille de tes rêves

Time for bed au lit

Barry Bennet en a marre. Marre de s’appeler Barry, déjà. Encore une brillante idée de ses parents, ces gens ennuyeux et toujours fatigués. Et la liste des reproches qu'il a à leur faire est longue !Mais il existe un monde où ce ne sont pas les parents qui font les enfants. Hors de question de laisser une telle responsabilité au hasard !Dans ce monde, grâce à l'agence Parents à la carte, chaque enfant peut choisir ses parents. Et même en essayer plusieurs. Jusqu'à trouver les parents parfaits.Pour Barry, ce monde-là est un monde de rêve.Mais il s'avère que ce n'est pas aussi simple…

Parents à la carte

Gabriel Jacoby, insomniaque, a des nuits impossibles et des journées qui ne valent guère mieux. Et depuis qu'il est amoureux d'Alice, la femme de son frère, il n'arrive plus à dormir du tout. Arrive alors Dina, la soeur de l'être aimée. Troc sentimental, sexualité par procuration, impasse amoureuse, tout y passe et Gabriel passe d'un impossible amour avec Alice à un amour impossible avec Dina. Avec tout ça, essayez de fermer l'oeil et de passer une bonne nuit.

Collected Journalism

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