This is a cute story about a father and his son on a journey through the snow, with hopes of returning with a dairy cow. The illustrations are great and I could see younger students enjoying the repetition of the story. Teachers or parents could also use this book to practice sequencing events in a story.

This story is about a man and his son who go in search of a cow. The man has a knife and as he goes from neighbor to neighbor, the man is able to make trades until he gets the cow he wants. It's a nice story about persistence and making connections.

A short read, reminiscent of the Ox Cart Man. Young readers will appreciate the repeated refrain of "a long road on a short day". Slightly older kids might enjoy speculating about what trades the boy and his father will make next. It may make a good paring to the Little House books.

Gary Schmidt has a way with words like no other, and this young reader book is absolutely delightful! A story of a boy and his dad, trading their way around town one stormy, snowy day for something they needed. The illustrations were a welcome surprise, since Schmidt's other books are for older readers.

This sweet story about a boy and his father spending time together on “a long road on a short day” will be a wonderful one to read with kids. All day and into a storm, they trade and trade with neighbors until they get what they came for, with a bonus besides. Samuel learns a lot along the way. Eugene Yelchin’s illustrations add to the warm family feeling.

This is the story of a boy called Samuel on his first trading trip with his Papa. His Mama really wants a milk cow but all they have to trade is his father’s knife. Samuel has to persevere as they walk the long road as the weather gets worse and be polite as they meet friends and strangers. Despite the cold and snow, Samuel watches his Papa and learns how to make the best trade that will make his mother happy and help the whole family.

A brilliant Wintery story of a father and son going on an adventure on a cold and snowy day. The story is written in simple text and is broken up into short chapters but I read the whole book in one go. There are beautiful colourful illustrations that both help tell the story and share the themes of kindness, and community. Eugene Yelchin is a fantastic artist.

I have read a similar Indian folktale about trading and kindness but I would definitely recommend this book and it would make a lovely gift.

Samuel and his father brave brisk winter weather to complete a mission as a kindness to his mother. The mission is to come home with a brown eyed dairy cow to provide milk for Samuels baby sister. They set off on foot with a Barlow knife for trade. They visit various community members each time walking away with something a little more valuable. Samuel is resilient and tough as he weathers the winter storm. He is gracious and considerate when he willingly gives up valuable things to fulfill his mother's wish. He is polite and respectful as he interacts with adults in his community. Strong values are emphasized in this charmingly nostalgic story of Samuel and his family.

Really sweet story about a boy and his father setting out on a journey through the cold and snow to procure a milk cow for mother. They visit neighbor after neighbor making trades along the way until they come to a farm with many cows and are able to get the milk cow mother has been wishing for. Short easy to read chapter book that kids will love.

This book that reminded me of simpler times, when neighbors were more neighborly. When you would offer a meal to anyone who stopped over, When the older generation encouraged and invested in the younger generation. When a man would go out and do his best to find what his wife needed, even if it meant trudging all day through the snow. Not that those things don’t happen anymore, but they aren’t as common.

Young Samuel’s mother would like a milk cow so that her baby can drink milk and her husband can have milk in his tea. So Samuel and Papa go out in search of a cow. They take something they have, a pocket knife, and trade and trade and trade again. Over the course of their day, they trade for a pair of lanterns, a book of poetry, a pitcher, a gold pocket watch, a ewe sheep, a pony and cart and before the days end, the milk cow they were hoping for.

I would compare this book to the My First Little House on the Prairie book series. If you love that series, you will love this book, too.. It’s suited for younger to middle elementary ages. This is definitely a book a would recommend.

A gentle illustrated early chapter book in which a father and son spend a snowy afternoon trading up until they bring home a milk cow to the mother and baby sister. Well-paced chapters and a pleasantly predictable ending will satisfy young readers.

One complaint about the illustrations, however: a widow in town was described in the text as having gray hair pulled in a tight bun to her neck, but the illustration shows her with a loose chignon of brown hair. It’s a small detail, but distracting.

“A Long Road on a Short Day” by Gary Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney is a story of life-skills and entrepreneurship. Papa and Samuel leave their house with a goal of trading up for a milk cow. This is a story about patience, perseverance, determination, and intro to business skills. I love that Samuel learns perhaps the most important lesson of asking for things that he wants. What adults take for granted, kids often have to learn explicitly. This translates to so many life situations… Priceless.

Lovely story of a farmer and his young son heading off to make a trade for a milk cow in the winter. I have read stories about people trading "up" for things they need before, but now as well-written as this one! Heart warming tale and well written. I enjoyed the illustrations very much! I am thinking the story is set in the later 1800's, early 1900's. It's a pleasant tale for 2-4th graders. Chapters are short, easy reads and I believe they will hold a child's interest.

I appreciate the depiction of society in trade and sharing, but this book was boring. I don't personally know any child who would sit for this story.

Summary: When Samuel’s mother mentions that she’d like a cow so that the baby can have some milk, Samuel’s father gets his best Barlow knife and tells Samuel to bundle up. The two of them head out on a journey as a snowstorm approaches. Samuel guesses that Dad will trade the knife for a cow, but instead he gets two lanterns. As they go from house to house, the lanterns are traded for a book, which gets exchanged for a pitcher, and so on, until finally Samuel’s father is able to secure the cow. At many of the houses, Samuel enjoys playing with a dog or cat, so he is delighted that a border collie puppy is part of the deal for the cow. His father includes him in all the trades, and Samuel must give up something he really wants (a cart and pony) for what the family needs (the cow). As they travel, the snowstorm builds in intensity, until they are able to head back to their cozy home with their new cow, which Samuel names Blizzard. 64 pages; grades 2-5.

Pros: An excellent first historical fiction book, with an award-winning author and illustrator. Small details in the text and illustrations give hints about the time and place, allowing readers to draw inferences. Samuel’s parents treat him with respect, but still allow him to enjoy being a kid.

Cons: An author’s note with a bit more information about the actual setting of this story would have added to the historical value.

First sentence: Early on a white January  morning, Samuel’s mother said, “I do wish we had a brown-eyed cow to give us milk for the baby.” Samuel’s father set down his mug. “And for your tea,” she said. Samuel’s father smiled and got up from the table.

Premise/plot: Samuel and his Papa go on a LONG ROAD ON A SHORT DAY as they seek to trade their way to getting a milk cow to please Mama.

My thoughts: Such a simple plot. Such a JOYOUS story. I know it's only May. I know that I may read dozens of more stories that I may come to love more than this one. But. I can't help thinking THIS SHOULD WIN THE NEWBERY. Here's the thing: simple can be oh-so-complex to get right. Because you'll never convince me that every word, every line isn't carefully, meaningfully chosen to accomplish that JUST RIGHT feel.

I loved the text. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. I loved the illustrations. This is a gem of read. I want to hold it in my hands and read it again and again and again and again.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beginning chapter book about a country boy's day. Cute story.

Lovely and soft story about a boy trading items to barter for a milk cow for his mother. Loved the illustrations and the country home feel. #ALongRoadonaShortDay #NetGalley

A beautiful, quiet picture book that feels both old-fashioned and timeless. Perfect for cuddling up on a cold winter's afternoon!
Gary D. Schmidt is one of the word-perfect writers; it's clear to a reader who pays attention to such things that every word was carefully chosen and balanced. To most readers, each sentence and paragraph simply seems remarkably easy to read aloud, with the words rolling off your tongue. That element takes this from a simple, familiar story (or at least style of story) to a masterful telling.