'It's this divide between the children's imaginative world and the parents' comparatively dull one that sets the tone…McKean's illustrations take the book to a whole new level.  The handwritten font and speech bubbles add weight to the first person narrative.  All in all, it's organised chaos. A bit like the notion of swapping your dad for two goldfish really.' ———— Junior

'bold publishing on the part of Bloomsbury, which is doing its bit to pull the picture book out of the nursery ghetto. Thumbs up for this diplomatic move between the worlds of picture books and comics.' ——— Ted Dewan, TES

'I admired the astringent dialogue, the mood of the illustrations…this is a book to make distracted fathers insecure — when they put their papers down' ——— Kate Hellaway, The Observer October 2004

'A wonderfully bizarre idea to swap your Dad for two goldfish! And wonderfully conveyed here in brilliant words and bright innovative illustrations! For all the family to enjoy!' ——— Carousel Christmas Supplement November 2004

'…is funny; it's also astute about the nature of sibling relationships… Gaiman's words and McKean’s pictures are a match made in…some dark damp inspirational place.  With gems like this and The Wolves in the Walls the pair are extending the audience for picture books' —— Time Out

'this is a glory — a special brew of devilishly unique pictures and funny, spot on perceptions' —— The Independent

Awards
Newsweek Best Children's books of 1997