BookPath
The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish
Neil Gaiman

The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish

Quick Answer

Start with "The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish" to begin the Picture Books and Children's Fiction. It is the essential series starter and provides the necessary foundation for the rest of the books.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

âť“ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Verdict Insight: This is the essential series starter that introduces the Neil Gaiman's core world and character arcs. It is required reading for all new fans.

Is this helpful?
200464 ppNovellaOptional Side StorySeries StarterWikidataSource
This children's book is about a boy who chooses to trade his father for his friend's two goldfish. When his mother returns, she sends the boy and his younger sister on an adventure to return the goldfish and recover their father. However, when the boy arrives at the goldfish owner's home, he finds that his father has been swapped again. This continues, and as the boy and his sister venture throughout their neighborhood, they discover many friends have been a part of the "swap". Ultimately the boy returns his father, and is sworn to never swap his father again. He promises, but then eyes his sister as possible future collateral.
Next Recommended Book

Coraline

Book #2 of 14 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Picture Books and Children's Fiction conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish?

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Can I read The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish before other books in the series?

Yes. The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish required reading for the Picture Books and Children's Fiction?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish is Coraline (Book #2).