A parody of old-fashioned children's book but also reminiscent of the "Series of Unfortunate Events" series by Lemony Snicket. Timothy, the oldest of the Willoughby children, makes all the decisions and the youngest, Jane, just wants to be noticed and have a name with more than 1 syllable. Twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B, the middle children, are so alike that their parents can't tell them apart even if they bothered to try and have to share a sweater. Life is not ideal for these children.
When the youngsters find a beastly baby on their doorstep, they leave it at a rich neighbor's house to get rid of it. The melancholy candy maker tycoon who lives there adopts the baby and his life becomes happy after years of grieving over the death of his wife and son in an avalanche in Switzerland.
Meanwhile, the Willoughby children concoct a plot to get rid of their insufferable parents and turn themselves into orphans by sending them on a dangerous trip. At first the plan seems to have worked as their parents go off on the dangerous trip and do all kinds of dangerous activities but keep sending home postcards describing all the terrible things that happen to everyone but themselves. To top it all off their parents have put the house on the market to be sold while they are gone. Their instructions to their children are to pack up all their undies and leave everything else to be sold. Happily the nanny who comes to take care of them turns out to be just what they need to bring out the best in their personalities.
At the end of the book the 2 storylines intertwine in a satisfying way that leaves everyone happy, except for the Willoughby parents who deserve what they get!
A wonderfully humorous glossary at the end defines old-fashioned words in the story with examples and hints for proper use. An utter delight.