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The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish
 
 
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The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Dave Mckean (Illustrator) "One day my mom went out and left me at home with just my little sister and my dad..." (more)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
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Frequently Bought Together

The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish + The Wolves in the Walls + Blueberry Girl
Price For All Three: $26.42

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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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


Review

"A bittersweet, guffaw-out-loud story from the most distinctive partnership in picture books today." -- The Guardian (UK)

"An energetic, eye-catching volume." -- Publishers Weekly

"Delightful." -- Time Out New York Kids

"Leave it to Neil Gaiman to write a zany tale that’s swimmingly good." -- The Washington Missourian

"McKean is in peak form here, with dark, spiky graphics that somehow manage to convey both sweetness and menace." -- Washington Post

"Where the title trade is just the start of a series of juvenile swaps and things get very strange indeed." -- Locus
See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 4-8
  • Hardcover: 64 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins (August 31, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0060587016
  • ISBN-13: 978-0060587017
  • Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,819 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Neil Gaiman
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One day my mom went out and left me at home with just my little sister and my dad. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews

49 Reviews
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 (36)
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 (6)
3 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (49 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars How much does a father go for these days?, August 8, 2000
By A. C. Walter "awalter" (Lynnwood, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish (Paperback)
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.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Don't trade it for anything, October 3, 1997
By A Customer
This review is from: The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish (Hardcover)

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.)

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21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Dead-on Dialogue, Great Art, November 9, 2004
By K. Yuen (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I really fell in love with this book!

The concept, a series of Dad swaps, may sound cutesy, but the execution is delightful and not the least bit saccharine or repetitive. The children's actions are nuanced in a charming yet realistic manner, and it's easy to freely accept the logic of the book because it is, in essence, child logic. The deadpan and earnest delivery really makes this story.

The layout is graphic novel, but you never get more than two horizontal panels a page. McKean's beautiful artwork suits the book to a tee. The drawings are primarily ink and what appears to be oil pastels, with occasional photographic images and newsprint worked in.

The reading level is probably 1st grade and above, but I'm not a child professional or a parent.

btw, I strongly suggest reading the author's note afterwards. It's quite interesting and explains a lot about the book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars This is NOT a children's book.
I own and cherish this book, and often share it with guests. It's beautiful... artfully illustrated and wonderfully absurd. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Monique Phillips

1.0 out of 5 stars Not for Adoptive families
We were given this book as a gift. It looks pretty great, and we were chugging along reading it when we came to the line about his sister saying he was adopted--used as a slur... Read more
Published 4 months ago by dffny

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for all ages
This was a wonderful book. Not only did my three year old daughter love it but I did as well. Just the thought of trading your dad for something else and him getting traded down... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Aaron Lee

2.0 out of 5 stars Not as cute as the author thinks it is & negative comment about adoption
I found this book a little precious. I didn't think it was as funny or "original" as the author seems to think. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Customer in Maryland

1.0 out of 5 stars Creative story line, but a negative message
I picked this up in the bookstore, drawn in by the unusual cover art and the intriguing title. I was reading merrily along, smiling at the clever story line, but was brought up... Read more
Published 8 months ago by book fan

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Picture Book from the warped, creative mind of Neil Gaiman
When I read this book, it made me GOF. (guffaw out loud). It is both surreal and "super real" at the same time. Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. Draper

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful picture book from the creative, warped mind of Neil Gaiman
When I read this book, it made me GOL. (guffaw out loud). It is both surreal and "super real" at the same time. Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. Draper

4.0 out of 5 stars Love the artwork
The plot line was a little abstract for my four-year-old nephew and a little childish for my seven-year niece.
Published 15 months ago by curl girl

5.0 out of 5 stars What about Dad
As a reader and collector of children's literature, I find this book charming. Few books are devoted to relationships between Dad and kids. Read more
Published on November 6, 2007 by Ms. Ann

5.0 out of 5 stars Out there
Picked up this book by chance, and my 6 yr old loved it (as did I). The irreverance about the dad, who's basically not paying attention, is funny, and taps into kids hidden... Read more
Published on September 16, 2007 by Jon Williams

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