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117th out of 665 books
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The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish
by
Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author),
Dave McKean
"I'll swap you my dad," I said.
"Oh-oh," said my little sister.
What if you wanted your best friend's two goldfish so much that you'd swap anything for them, even your father?
What if your mother came home and found out what you'd done?
Paperback, 51 pages
Published
October 1st 2006
by HarperTrophy
(first published 1998)
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This is a very crazy read…kind of like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but simpler and madder in a this-is-from-a-child’s-perspective kind of way. The title says it all actually, when a boy seeks for something to trade for his friend Nathan’s two goldfish. Nathan rejects everything that the boy offers until the latter sets his eyes upon his dad. Nathan agrees, and the fun begins.
At first I’m not sure if I like this or not, because it’s absurd—and that’s saying something because I’m...more
At first I’m not sure if I like this or not, because it’s absurd—and that’s saying something because I’m...more
This is a great picture book for a slightly older reader. The text is witty and memorable. A boy swaps his dad for two goldfish named Sawney and Beaney. The goldfish were very nice, much better than dad that just sits there and reads the newspaper. Mother isn’t happy. She says “young man” which she only says when she’s really mad. She sends the boy and his little sister to get back their father, but it isn’t as easy as one reverse swap. Dad has been swapped all over town for a guitar, gor...more
From Sandman creator Gaiman, comes this delightfully quirky picture book for all readers who ever tried to pawn of their little brother, sister or dad to the neighbor kid for one of his cool new toys. Surreal illustrations by Dave McKean (who teamed with Gaiman on the graphic novels, MirrorMask and The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch: a romance) land this one in the Juvenile Illustrated Fiction (JIF) section at my library, which means the picture book towers full of picture book...more
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When the librarian who organized our book club first mentioned American Gods, a book by Neil Gaiman, I knew we'd read a children's book by him, but couldn't quite remember which one it was. When I did a search of his books, I saw this book in the list and I was intrigued. Such a catchy title. So when I went to the library today for our book club meeting for American Gods, I saw this book on top of the shelf in the children's section and just knew I had to read it. Today.
It was a ...more
It was a ...more
GENRE: Fiction, picture book, adventure.
SUMMARY: A boy's friend visits, along with the friend's two goldfish. The boy decides he must have the goldfish, and offers to trade all manner of items for them. The owner refuses all trade requests until the boy's father is offered. When the boy's mother comes home to discover that her husband has been traded away, she tells her son to go get him back, and pronto. The boy discovers this is not as easy as it seems, as his dad has been traded a...more
SUMMARY: A boy's friend visits, along with the friend's two goldfish. The boy decides he must have the goldfish, and offers to trade all manner of items for them. The owner refuses all trade requests until the boy's father is offered. When the boy's mother comes home to discover that her husband has been traded away, she tells her son to go get him back, and pronto. The boy discovers this is not as easy as it seems, as his dad has been traded a...more
"The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish" is a funny yet sarcastic little book from the creative mind of Neil Gaiman. It is about how a young boy sells his dad for two goldfish and when his mother finds out about what he has done, she orders him to go back and retrieve his father back.
Neil Gaiman has done a great job with making this story humorous and entertaining at the same time as the boy may seem a bit sadistic in selling his father and even tying up his sister at o...more
Neil Gaiman has done a great job with making this story humorous and entertaining at the same time as the boy may seem a bit sadistic in selling his father and even tying up his sister at o...more
I like the illustrations but not sure how little ones would feel about them.
The idea of swapping dad for two goldfish is funny.
It induces anticipations and stimulates ones imaginations...I kept thinking what could happen to dad?
Mostly? I love the story behind this book!
makes a nice gift on father's day or a book to read when dad visits his child's class room :)
The idea of swapping dad for two goldfish is funny.
It induces anticipations and stimulates ones imaginations...I kept thinking what could happen to dad?
Mostly? I love the story behind this book!
makes a nice gift on father's day or a book to read when dad visits his child's class room :)
The partnership between Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean is one of the most fruitful collaborations I have ever seen, and this book is a delightful example of both men at their playful best. A tale of brothers, sisters, rabbits, and steadily escalating wierdness, it is visually beautiful, extremely funny, and slyly subversive. This may be the perfect picture book.
What could possibly happen if you were a child who so wanted to have your friend's 2 goldfishes that you'd be willing to swap your Dad for them?
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.
McKean's drawings are primarily ink and what appears to be oil pastels, with occasional photographic images and newsprint worked in; full of collages, hidden messages,...more
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.
McKean's drawings are primarily ink and what appears to be oil pastels, with occasional photographic images and newsprint worked in; full of collages, hidden messages,...more
Bwahaha!! The very idea! Swap your father for two goldfish and a bowl :D
Suatu hari seorang anak dan adiknya sedang main di kebun ketika temannya datang membawa dua ikan mas dalam akuarium berbentuk mangkuk. Nathan, temannya tersebut, bersedia menukar ikan-ikannya dengan sesuatu. Tapi karena anak itu nggak punya tukeran yang Nathan mau, akhirnya ditukarlah dengan ayahnya yang sedang asik membaca koran.
Ketika ibunya pulang, sang adik memberitahu ibunya bahwa ayahnya udah d...more
Suatu hari seorang anak dan adiknya sedang main di kebun ketika temannya datang membawa dua ikan mas dalam akuarium berbentuk mangkuk. Nathan, temannya tersebut, bersedia menukar ikan-ikannya dengan sesuatu. Tapi karena anak itu nggak punya tukeran yang Nathan mau, akhirnya ditukarlah dengan ayahnya yang sedang asik membaca koran.
Ketika ibunya pulang, sang adik memberitahu ibunya bahwa ayahnya udah d...more
After reading this book I did not think it was that good, but rather weird. I could not really get into the concept of how he swapped his dad for two goldfish because I feel like the author, Neil Gaiman, tried to make it seem too realistic.
I do not really see how this book could teach children a lesson, but thinking about it you could probably use this book in the classroom by telling the children that you should always appreciate the family that you have because they are not worth get...more
I do not really see how this book could teach children a lesson, but thinking about it you could probably use this book in the classroom by telling the children that you should always appreciate the family that you have because they are not worth get...more
I'm having a hard time giving this its star rating. 3 or 4 or 5?
I like this story, but it makes me think critically about the portrayal of the father. It seems to follow that "stupid clueless Dad" role shown in the media (especially TV commercials and comedies). Like, did the father just go along with all of this? Gaiman says in the afterword that this story is based on his own experience with his son!
I am left with an uneasy feeling after this though...the boy only gets h...more
I like this story, but it makes me think critically about the portrayal of the father. It seems to follow that "stupid clueless Dad" role shown in the media (especially TV commercials and comedies). Like, did the father just go along with all of this? Gaiman says in the afterword that this story is based on his own experience with his son!
I am left with an uneasy feeling after this though...the boy only gets h...more
My friend Joe gave me this book when I fell pregnant. It was a kind of “I know presents are supposed to be for the baby but this one is really for you” kind of thing. I love Joe.
And I LOVE this book! It’s adorable. And you can see that it’s a kind of loving “I dig the kids in my life” tribute.
Obviously the title gives away the whole plot, and it’s a kid’s book so really doesn’t take long to read. The illustrations (by Dave McKean) are incredible (my kind of quirky drawing) an...more
And I LOVE this book! It’s adorable. And you can see that it’s a kind of loving “I dig the kids in my life” tribute.
Obviously the title gives away the whole plot, and it’s a kid’s book so really doesn’t take long to read. The illustrations (by Dave McKean) are incredible (my kind of quirky drawing) an...more
I can't decide if I like Neil Gaiman better as a children's author or adult, but this- par for the course- did not disappoint. He is not afraid to subtly date his books with contemporary phrases and objects, and I like that. The artwork, of course, is amazing and different. This is not the first time Gaiman has teamed up with this illustrator and I think their 2 arts meld perfectly. There is an epilogue (so cool, I think, when these are in Children's books) telling how Gaiman was inspired to...more
Warning: This review may contain spoilers.
I think that Neil Gaiman had an adequate premise for the plot of this childrens' book. It wasn't anything special since I have seen this done more than twice before (think of stories Enid Blyton). But what really wowed me, was the different, but beautiful drawings by Dave McKean. You can tell that a lot of effort was put into the drawings here. Other than that, there isn't much left to say.
This would be a good book for young child...more
I think that Neil Gaiman had an adequate premise for the plot of this childrens' book. It wasn't anything special since I have seen this done more than twice before (think of stories Enid Blyton). But what really wowed me, was the different, but beautiful drawings by Dave McKean. You can tell that a lot of effort was put into the drawings here. Other than that, there isn't much left to say.
This would be a good book for young child...more
This book is a mondern day classic children's book in my opinion. It reminds me of my childhood, the art is catchy and seems spot on for children... well I think so, see I don't have little ones.
This book is pretty good. The humor in the story comes out at unexpected times and is enough to produce some real laugh-out-loud moments, and the new take on a well-worn literary idea makes for a fresh and welcome addition to the body of Neil Gaiman's writing work for young readers. The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish is especially notable as the first time that Neil Gaiman worked with illustrator Dave McKean, a partnership that would eventually result in the creation of The Graveyard Boo...more
I simply liked Weird and Gaiman often gives me weird. Grades 3+
This fascinating little book takes a very simple story - a little boy trades his dad for two goldfish and then embarks on an exhausting series of trades to bring the man back to his family - and brings in elements that adults can enjoy. The art is beautiful and rewards intense study, and there is something thought-provoking about a father who is so engrossed in his newspaper that he doesn't notice being traded from one disappointed child to the next. I think it would be rude to read this to my f...more
I caught a glimpse of this book last spring while attending a meeting for prospective parents at a private school we were applying to for my daughter. I hadn't realized then that Neil Gaiman wrote children's books as well as writing for adults.
Based on the title alone, I had to read it. And Gaiman didn't disappoint. The book is cleverly written, the artwork brilliantly done. And the story took me back to childhood, when I would have given anything to be able to trade away a parent o...more
Based on the title alone, I had to read it. And Gaiman didn't disappoint. The book is cleverly written, the artwork brilliantly done. And the story took me back to childhood, when I would have given anything to be able to trade away a parent o...more
It was a fun little thirty-minute read, but I was more impressed with the illustrations which are vastly different from the ones I remember looking at as a child. I can see how children would really like the Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish.
Visually telling the tale are Dave McKean’s surreal illustrations. The pages are mixed media of ink, collages, newspaper print, and possibly paint. Using photographic images of goldfish really make them stand out.
A friend had used...more
Visually telling the tale are Dave McKean’s surreal illustrations. The pages are mixed media of ink, collages, newspaper print, and possibly paint. Using photographic images of goldfish really make them stand out.
A friend had used...more
It was very clever and I loved the illustrations.
This is a great, fun picture book. I've read this to several groups of children from age 9-12 and they have all enjoyed it. It really captures the relationship between a brother and sister, all the little ways they can annoy each other, and has lots of humorous moments for adults as well as children. The illustrations really add to the story and, at times, it almost becomes a graphic novel. The ending is perfect; I've never had a group of children that didn't either excitingly cry out, "...more
Not for toddlers, despite that it looks like a picture book. Probably best of all for 9-10 yo boys who like to draw - especially if they have a little sister. Rather British, esp. the setting & cultural context, but I do think Americans and others would not really care, because after all it is a fantasy - so it's largely irrelevant whether you're familiar with this kind of a community or not.
I'm not sure *why* I liked it, as the plot is so implausible, the art is slightly nightmari...more
I'm not sure *why* I liked it, as the plot is so implausible, the art is slightly nightmari...more
[from my blog 'Reading in Winter']
When I first started reading this book, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the world of Neil Gaiman and I knew that this was more of a children’s book, but I still had my doubts.
Having recently read The Graveyard Book, another book for children by Neil Gaiman, I was surprised at how short TDISMDFTG was. At first the pictures seemed very haphazard and annoying, but after a few pages in I felt entranc
I orginally got this to read to my nephew when he was here, but he wanted The Wolves in the Walls (at least a hundred times, it seemed), so instead I ended up reading this after he left. While entertaining, it wasn't as enjoyable as TWITW. Although, the artwork was exceptionally interesting! McKean is quite talented.
I think this book would be enjoyable to younger children - maybe 10 years and younger. But being a fan of all things Gaiman, I am glad I read it.
I think this book would be enjoyable to younger children - maybe 10 years and younger. But being a fan of all things Gaiman, I am glad I read it.
I love the sense of humor Gaiman has, and this book is just another example of his excellent voice, warped attention to detail, and insane irony. The artwork is equal to the story, a great compilation of drawing, collage, painting and photoshopped patterns.
My daughter didn't get the humor laced throughout the story, but she was mesmerized by the artwork. She sat and listened to the audiobook, and really dwelled on the pages without having to concentrate on reading.
My daughter didn't get the humor laced throughout the story, but she was mesmerized by the artwork. She sat and listened to the audiobook, and really dwelled on the pages without having to concentrate on reading.
Do you ever wish you could trade a parent (or child, perhaps) for goldfish? Would it be an improvement, or a horrible mistake?
This is my kind of children's book! I have to admit, however, that while I fell in love with both the story and the illustrations, there was something that seemed to make my child uneasy. Admittedly, the artwork isn't your standard brightly coloured drawing you may find in your regular kids book. I took the time to point out all the amazing details within the picture...more
This is my kind of children's book! I have to admit, however, that while I fell in love with both the story and the illustrations, there was something that seemed to make my child uneasy. Admittedly, the artwork isn't your standard brightly coloured drawing you may find in your regular kids book. I took the time to point out all the amazing details within the picture...more
The narrator decides to swap his friend Nathan his dad for two goldfish. The narrator's dad is so boring though that he keeps getting swapped from one kid to the next. Eventually he is swapped for a rabbit, and the narrator is able to bring his dad home, where all he does is read the paper. The font and illustrations were the best parts of this book, and I found it to be very visually stimulating.
Genre: picture book
Copyright: 1997
Genre: picture book
Copyright: 1997
Some people may have great idea once or twice in their live, some people never have them at all. heran sama bapaknya kok ya diem aja ditukar2 begitu :D sampe dimasukin ke kandang kelinci pula. waktu pertama ditukar kirain dibawa sama bangku2nya, eh ternyata nggak. trus yang lebih hebatnya lagi si daddy punya bakat mengagumkan: jalan sambil baca koran sambil makan wortel. imagine that! how i love these fantastic duo!
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“Some people have great ides maybe once or twice in their life and then they discover electricity or fire or outer or something. I mean the kind of brilliant ideas that change the whole world. Some people never have them at all... I get them two or three times a week.”
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