April 19, 2025, in Massachusetts was a festive occasion with hundreds of thousands of people from around the world gathering to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first battles of the American Revolution. Across Concord and surrounding towns, hundreds of volunteers, museums, shops, restaurants, art galleries, and town staff worked tirelessly for months leading up to the commemorations. They worked hard to showcase the very best of the historic region to visitors from around the world – from American Revolutionary history to literary legends, beautiful parks and nature, and a wide array of cultural institutions.
As the historic moment approached, two independent, women-owned Concord publishers – Barefoot Books and Voyager Publishing – rose to the occasion and created lasting tributes to this historic anniversary.
In England in 1992, two young moms, Nancy Traversy and Tessa Strickland, couldn’t find the kinds of books they wanted for their kids: visually captivating stories that celebrated global awareness and sparked curiosity. So, they started a fledgling children’s publishing company from their homes. Now, 30 years later and based in Concord, MA, Barefoot Books is an award-winning, international business named by Forbes as one of the 25 Best Small Companies in America.
