Common Sense Media Review
Darkly funny parody of old-fashioned kids' books.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In THE WILLOUGHBYS, the four siblings --- Tim, twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and Jane -- despise their parents so much they want to be orphans, and persuade their parents to go on a vacation where, the children hope, their parents will die. The feeling is mutual. Their awful parents, inspired by "Hansel and Gretel," try to lose their children by going on the vacation, leaving the kids behind with a nanny, and then selling the house while they're gone.
Is It Any Good?
Author Lois Lowry has her tongue firmly planted in her cheek as she parodies old-fashioned children's books in this darkly funny satire. Clearly inspired by both Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket, it offers less lovable kid heroes than Dahl's and Snicket's (Charlie, James, the Baudelaire children). And while it ties plot threads up nicely at the end, the moral seems to be: If you don't like your parents, you can get rid of them and be adopted by a nice rich man. Many kids will find this delightfully hilarious, but some adults may find it leaves a bad taste.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the dark humor in The Willoughbys. Do you find it funny or disturbing? What other books have you read where orphans or neglected children have a rough time?
Families can talk about the old-fashioned books referenced in the story and discussed at the back. Have you read any of them? Did you like them?
Do you prefer old-fashioned books or more modern ones? Why? How are they different?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Lois Lowry
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
- Publication date : March 1, 2008
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 174
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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