The points of issue
Children's picture book, illus. Dave McKean. True first is the 1997 White Wolf Publishing / Borealis imprint issue, glossy illustrated boards as issued, 1997 on the copyright page with no later-printing statement; a small press run.
Is this the true first?
US White Wolf/Borealis true first (1997); later HarperCollins editions (2004 onward) are reprints of the text.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later HarperCollins reprints differ in imprint and ISBN.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish (with Dave McKean) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Children's picture book, illus. Dave McKean. True first is the 1997 White Wolf Publishing / Borealis imprint issue, glossy illustrated boards as issued, 1997 on the copyright page with no later-printing statement; a small press run.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. US White Wolf/Borealis true first (1997); later HarperCollins editions (2004 onward) are reprints of the text.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Later HarperCollins reprints differ in imprint and ISBN.
I have a first edition of The Day I Swapped My Dad for Two Goldfish (with Dave McKean) — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.