The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com Review
One day Nathan comes over with two goldfish named Sawney and Beaney. "I'll swap you them," says the little boy of the house. "What for?" asks Nathan. As it turns out, Nathan doesn't want anything that the boy and his little sister suggest for trading... not an old spaceship or even Clownie the clown. Finally, the boy has an idea, the kind of idea (like discovering "electricity or fire or outer space or something") that changes the whole world. He decides to swap his dad (the silent guy behind the newspaper) for two goldfish. After all, the boy brags, his dad is as big as 100 goldfish and he swims better than a goldfish ("Liar," says his little sister.) But Nathan agrees to take their dad anyway. When their mother gets home, she is very mad, and sends her kids over to Nathan's to get their dad back. Sadly, Nathan has already traded their dad for an electric guitar. Page upon hilarious page goes by, as the father is traded again and again. When they finally track him down, he is still reading the newspaper! (Mom makes them promise never to swap their dad for anything ever again, and they promise.) Comic masters Neil Gaiman and artist Dave McKean have created a wonderful graphic short story for all ages. The artwork is magnificent, funny, multi-textured, and scritchy--the perfect visual accompaniment to this hip, kid-friendly exploration of the perils of bartering family members. --Karin Snelson

Product Description
Written for children and the young at heart, this is the unforgettable story that will take readers on a lavishly illustrated journey into the quirky mind of a young boy and the perils of striking a bargain. Full color.

Customer Reviews: Read 22 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

How much does a father go for these days? August 8, 2000
23 out of 24 found this review helpful

When a young boy (the story doesn't give him a name) decides to swap for a friend's goldfish, he finds that his father is the ultimate bargaining chip--after all, hasn't everyone always wanted to own one? The boy's father is such a hot item, in fact, that the neighborhood kids pass him back and forth, making one deal after another. Eventually, the mother sends the boy and his little sister to recover their father ("The very idea," she says), and they follow the swapping trail, redistributing the trade items as they go.

"The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish" is a brilliantly illustrated adventure map that navigates the relative values and the strange economy of childhood. Neil Gaiman's lively text is written with that special children's logic and fresh humor found in classics like "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "Peter Pan," and the rich texture of Dave McKean's images--vivid line drawings and colorful montages--gives the story a look that is unique in children's literature. This book occupies a special place in my library with a very few picture books, like "Old Turtle" and "Little Hobbin," that I could never part with.

5 out of 5 stars

Don't trade it for anything October 4, 1997
17 out of 17 found this review helpful

When I was ten, I wanted a red electric guitar more than anything else in the world. I coveted it so much - and the resulting super stardom I was positive it would bring me - that I would readily trade anything (or anyone) for it. Unfortunately for me (but fortunately for my parents, considering my decided lack of musical talent) the music store was a strictly cash only venture. Thus, I have remained electric guitar-less and completely unfamous until this day. Not that I'm still bitter or anything.

If you're like me, and have ever wondered what would have happened if your primal childhood urge to trade away your loved ones for cash and merchandise was realized you need look no further than Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean's new book, _The Day I Swapped My Dad for 2 Goldfish_. Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean are better known for their work in the comic book realm, giving all of us who are secret children's literature addicts a reasonable excuse to buy picture books (I'm just buying it because I'm a big fan, really).

As you may have grasped from the title, the story centres around a young boy who trades his dad for his friend's goldfish (personally, I think he made a bad trade; dads should be worth at least _three_ goldfish, and maybe one of those plastic diver guys). What makes the story special is the way in which it's told. The text is incorporated into the pictures, rather than being a separate narrative. The illustrations themselves were my favourite part of the book. I like pictures. Alot. I think there should be more pictures in adult books, but the publishing companies don't seem to agree with me. Dave McKean has illustrated the book in his classic semi-collage style, but without the darker elements that might frighten young children. If you're a fan of McKean's work, the book is worth buying just for his artwork alone.

This is definitely one of the best books I've read this year. Buy, borrow or trade yourself a copy as soon as possible. (Oh yes, and your kids might like it too - if they can tear it away from you, that is.)

5 out of 5 stars BRILLANT, SWEET, CHARMING, TWISTED November 27, 2002
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

I'm sure I'm not the first reviewer here to say that I love this book as much as any kid ever could. Great story, great writing, exceptional artwork by the inimitable dave mckean. If you don't fall in love with this book, then I'd be willing to wager that you never had a childhood.

By any means necessary, no matter how old you are, read this book; even if you have to swap your favoritest family member for a copy. (I've heard Amazon does in fact accept this kind of bartering system)

5 out of 5 stars Brilliant! A delightful montage of a child's view of trading October 23, 1999
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

I am a huge fan of Gaimen and McKean. But this time they have outdone theirselves. The illustrations and montages' are extroadinary and capture the child's view brilliantly. Also they capture the adults view upon a child's world. I love the mixed media and the way McKean pulls focus on the different objects with his use of photography. A fantastic medium for both adults and children to enjoy.

5 out of 5 stars First Exposure December 28, 2001
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

While I have been a fan of Neil Gaiman for years, I was disappointed that my 8 year-old son would not be able to read his work until his teen years. This warped children's book was right up his alley. We read this story more often than another book in our libarary. I'm so glad I was able to let me child in on the wonderful warped world of Gaiman so much sooner than I expected!

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