McKean and Gaiman on form as always! (The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish - Neil Gaiman)

Member Name: kristajoy

Product:	The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish - Neil Gaiman
Date:	16/02/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A sheer delight from start to finish, a most unusual visual experience!

Disadvantages: None

Wow;

I spent a while looking for this book, but it was defiantly worth the wait. 'The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish' is as exquisite as its title is long. A wonderfully simply and classic children's story format, Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean have once again made a successful and unequalled pair of entertainers.

I wont give too much of this story away, save the for the fact that it uses a form I have seen before to develop a narrative, as one boy and his sister search for their father after he is swapped for a pair of fish, and then again from child to child creating a hilarious and bizarre series of events. Of course, as 'Dad' is seen as nothing more than a mindless material possession, its fun for kids to realise parents might just be missed if they should disappear after all!

Beautifully written from a child's perspective, this is something kids can really get their teeth into!

Like 'The Wolves in the Walls', this in an immensely colourful book with incredibly unusual illustrations created through a series of clever collage, freehand and integrated photography, that simply grips you from the start. Even more amazing, and as abstract as they are, McKean has captured all the child characters so perfectly; their mannerisms and expressions are unbelievably realistic.

An absolute joy from start to finish, whether you are a child, parent or just somebody looking for a bit of visual stimulation! Still one of my favourites!

Summary: A great unusual book with text that is fun for kids to read alone or not!