The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish

Rating:
Summary: Instant Classic
Review: Children's books are released every year, but rarely do new offerings approach the quality of the genres old favorites ('Goodnight Moon', 'Where the Wild Things Are', etc). Neil Gaiman has, IMHO, written an instant classic with "The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish". I picked it up in a bookstore and couldn't put it down, giggling to myself the whole way. The plot is, well, read the title, the book takes off from there. Dave McKean's illustrations are perfect for the occasion, bringing the story to life. A great gift with the upcoming X-mas season for children, parents, or really anyone with a sense of humor.

Rating:
Summary: Dead-on Dialogue, Great Art
Review: 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 3rd grade and above, but I'm not a child professional or a parent. It's the same level of difficulty as Lemony Snicket or Pippi Longstocking.

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

Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: this was my first introduction to Neil Gaimon's material. I had heard of him doing the Sandman series but not really read it. His name still remained on that list of 'people to read.' I happened upon this book and Wolves in the Walls at the National Book Festival in DC in early October and was delighted by the dark ilustrations, the experimentation with artistic mediums. But so impressed with the material. It leans a bit to comic book genre, having thought bubbles instead of dialogue paragraphs, that sort of thing. But I loved it. Definitely a book worth buying for your or your children's collection.