I love children's books. Their purity and simple messages are always such an inspiration to me. Finding that perfect book to gift a new mother is something I never stop enjoying.

That said, I found "A Long Road on a Short Day" to be NOT AT ALL what I was expecting. I was hoping for an adorable story with a few life lessons thrown in. Instead, we take a roundabout journey on a snowy day, following a father and son as they barter up through a small rural village, hoping to eventually have enough to trade for a milk cow.

Was this book written in late 1800s America? Were they Amish? Was this supposed to read like a Christian proverb or something? I couldn't figure out why they had so little and things like pride were emphasized so strongly. I tried, I really did, but there was scarcely anything in this book my 21st century city girl's mind could relate to.

I won't rate outside of NetGalley, because I am clearly not the target market for this particular book. It was nice enough, but I can't imagine a modern child sitting still for it or (unless he's in the same boat) understanding Samuel's sparse and simple life.

I loved this charming little story.

Mama wants a brown eyed cow to have milk for the baby and for Papa’s tea. It is a winter day so Papa tells Samuel to ‘dress warm’ as he is going with Papa on the long journey to town to trade for the cow. Samuel uses his best manners while meeting strangers and helping Papa make decisions on the trades. There are items Papa likes, and some Samuel would like to keep, but they have to keep on trading to get the cow for Mama. And they must do it on “a long road on a short day”.

This is a very charming story even to listen to without the illustrations. There are good descriptions and interesting neighbors with trades to be made. This would be a lovely book to share with young children. I recommend this for children and parents to enjoy.

Audio Notes: Matt Godfrey does a really nice job with the narration. His voice is soothing as he shares the simple, direct text. I enjoyed the audio and I bet having the audio with the illustrated book would be wonderful.

Source: 2020 NetGalley Audio.

Sweet little children's book, I liked it but it might be better to read the story so you can look at the drawings too.
The story was good and I liked the narrator.

On a winter day when snowfall is imminent and daylight is scarce, Samuel and his father set out on a journey. The two are in search of a milk cow.
They hope with a series of trades to parlay Father's Barlow knife (a high-quality pocket knife) into a source of milk for the family’s baby girl. Using his insight into the circumstances and interests of his neighbors, Samuel’s father puts his plan into action. Both father and son are determined to make each trade a satisfactory arrangement for all parties. From a desired timepiece to the fleecy softness of Merino wool for the weaver's loom, neighbors benefit from these exchanges.
In addition to learning the value that an item may have for a specific individual; Samuel learns to approach each person with respect and kindness.
Picture
As sunset approaches a neighbor has light glowing in his barn, a lonely window has a volume to poetry to keep her company, and a little girl has a pony cart to take her to school. The family has a milk cow and Samuel receives the secret wish of his heart. All because of a wish, a pocketknife, and an astute father who knows the value of friendship and fairness.
Schmidt is a master storyteller, delivering a tale with succinct narration. Each phrase contains a rhythmic quality and sensory imagery that precisely capture the relationship between father and son, young boy and animals, and a members of a closely-knit community.
Yelchin's illustrations are sublime. Like peering into a snow globe, each image is a magical moment encapsulated amid the swirling flakes. ​
A Long Road on a Short Day is a short book that is long on wishes and the wonders of a winter's day. A perfect read aloud that will warm hearts.

A Long Road on a Short Day transported me back to my childhood, because these were the type of stories I used to listen to.

In this short but endearing book, a young boy sets out on an adventure/mission to get his mother a much wanted and needed brown eyed milk cow, leaving with nothing but a knife in hopes of a trade.

It is indeed quite the adventure, as they exchange one item for another, as well as a few commitments, in search of this milk cow… when all that little Samuel really wants is a puppy.

It’s a story of family, friendship and community and with a sweet reward at the end.

I absolutely adored this short but meaningful book and I think it will be one I will re-read or re-listen to often, whenever I’m in need of a bit of lifting up or a bit of hope and light.

I definitely recommend it, both for children and adults, as it reminds us to always be kind and generous, because you just never know what life may end up giving you in return.


Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

#ALongRoadonaShortDay #NetGalley

While listening to this audio book, I wish I could look at the illustrations.
It's a perfect story for winter time. I like the voice of the reader.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange foran honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
A long road on a short day is such a relaxing and warm book for children about a boy and his father going for a walk to try and barter and exchange a knife for a brown eyed cow which his mother really wants so she can feed her baby but the boy is secretly hoping for a puppy instead.
On their long walk they end up exchanging the knife for one thing then exchanging that for another and so on.
The boy ends up coming home with a wealth of knowledge learned from his father and the moral of the story is family love, time and bonding between a father and his son.

This was a delightful book and I can only imagine that the physical copy is even more beautiful if it contains pictures (I listened to the audio version which lasted approx half an hour).
The narration was very befitting to the story and so was the voice and speed it was read by/at.

Hearkening back to Little House on the Prairie-esque storytelling, A Long Road on a Short Day allows the reader to spend one day with a father and son on a quest to help Mother obtain a milk cow. Through the art of bartering, the father/son gradually work their way up to the farmer that is willing to trade for a milk cow, but will the boy be willing to give away a prized possession to do so?
This lovely book speaks of character and family relationships beautifully. It also references the art of knowing our neighbors. The narration excellently supported that homespun feel,
I was provided an ARC audio copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I can say with confidence that I would purchase this book for my grandkids! It is set to release today.

The simple country story reminded me a lot of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books like Little House on the Prairie.

The story is all about young Samuel learning how to trade belongings back and forth with different neighbors, until he gets to trade up to the very thing the family needs. Plus, he meets many new furry friends along the way -- just for extra cuteness in the story!

I listened to the audio version, and the narrator does a superb job.

This book has many "teachable" moments and quality values. Homeschool families will definitely enjoy this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest opinion.

What a sweet book! My brother's 4 year old is learning to read, so I'm on the look out for wonderful books to pair with audiobooks so that she can be entertained (as mom and dad are trying to work from home during this covid pandemic year). This book is perfect! Just a lovely short day!

Thank you NetGalley and the author/Gary Schmidt for the opportunity to listen to this advance read copy audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Matt Godfrey did a great job narrating.

One wintry morning, Samuel is told to bundle up by his Papa, they are going on a walk to see if they can barter their way to give Samuel’s Mama what she wants - a brown-eyed cow. With a baby needing milk, as well as the rest of the family, it would help them to manage. And so Samuel and his Papa set out to see if they can trade a folding knife, hoping to come home with a brown-eyed cow for his Mama. Along the way, they begin by trading the knife for a lantern, and continue along the way trading one item for another, throughout the day, and visiting with other families, as well. It’s a long day for such a young boy, and all the while Samuel is hoping for a puppy instead of a brown-eyed cow.

There’s an element of this that seems like a by-gone era, the simplicity of the story and the bartering add to that feeling, which I loved. More than that is a strong sense of the bond of family, especially between this father and son as they spend a long day walking in the cold for a gift to bring a smile to Samuel’s Mama. Love in action and deed.

In the end, Samuel’s Mama is happy with their final trades that they return home with, and Samuel is happy with everything he’s learned from Papa, as well.

I listened to the Audiobook version of this, so I can only say that if the illustrations in the book are anything like the cover, I imagine that they also really add to the story.

Aimed at young readers (Ages 8-10), this is a charming story that can be read in one sitting as a family, or enjoyed by the young reader alone.

Published: 10 Nov 2020

Many thanks for the ARC provided RB Media / Recorded Books

A Long Road on a Short Day
by Gary D. Schmidt
A long road and a short day, a father and son travel across the cold winter day to find what his mother desires. With his new baby sister she wants a cow to help her care for the baby. His father sees his neighbors, and trades one thing for another. WIth each trade the better of the items tempests the boy each time. In the end they find something for his mother and for himself. A great book for teaching young children the barter system that was set before money was plenty and expected. It's a lesson in trade and barter and learning the value of knowledge and friendship.