Don't miss out on the BIGGEST Community Bookseller event of the year! Join us at our beautiful home office in Concord, MA for engaging presentations, exciting activities, community bonding and more.
Wondering how you'll spend your days at the 2024 Barefoot Retreat? Take a peek at the preliminary schedule below!
More details coming soon.
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Thursday, May 2nd |
- 4pm - VIP Experience Begins (2023 Q4 Challenge Step 4 achievers only)
- 6pm - VIP Dinner
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Friday, May 3rd |
- 9:30am - VIP Check-in and Breakfast
- 10am - VIP Editorial Meeting
- 11am - Break
- 11:15am - Session: VIP Community Bookseller Program Round Table
- 12pm - Community Bookseller Check-in
- 12:30pm - Lunch
- 1:30pm - Opening Statements
- 1:45pm - Editorial Preview: Sneak Peek at Upcoming Titles
- 2:45pm - Session: Get the Most Out of Your Events
- 3:45pm - Break
- 4pm - Session: Best Sales Practices
- 4:45pm - Recognition Ceremony
- 6pm - Cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres
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Saturday, May 4th |
- 9:30am - Check-in and Breakfast
- 10am - Wellness Workshop with Carolyn
- 10:30am - Break
- 11am - Panel: Children's Mental Health and Social Emotional Learning Through Storytelling
Global trends in depression, anxiety, self-harm and beyond have been on the rise since 2006, well before the pandemic. Among today’s youth, a majority of mental health disorders begin in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood, with 75% of mental health conditions developing before age 25, and 50% beginning before age 14. This panel discussion will explore how parents, educators and community members can effectively respond, centering on the importance of social-emotional learning in children's health, and the vital role of stories & storytelling in fostering resiliency. Panelists: Gene Beresin (Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds), educator from ThinkGive organization and Lisa Rosinsky (Barefoot Books, Senior Editor). - 12pm - Lunch
- 1pm - Guest Speaker: Bunmi Emenanjo (I'll See You in Ijebu) in Conversation with Kate DePalma (Barefoot Books, Senior Editor)
Spend an hour in conversation with Barefoot Books Senior Editor Kate DePalma and author Bunmi Emenanjo as they dive into the making of our brand new release I'll See You in Ijebu, and discuss the importance of global, authentic voices in children's literature. - 2pm - Panel: Meet the Barefoot Authors Q&A
Attending authors: Bunmi Emenanjo (I'll See You in Ijebu), Mia Wenjen (Food for the Future), Anna Staniszewski (My Cousin’s Mermaid), Phaea Crede (Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat)), Jamaica Stevens (Yoga Adventure), Carolyn Curtis (I Took the Moon for a Walk), Laya Steinberg (Thesaurus Rex), Christy Mihaly (Barefoot Books Water), Skye Silver (Dump Truck Disco, Baby Play), Kate DePalma / Sunny Scribbens (Harvest Days, The Bread Pet and many more!) - 3pm - Shopping and Author Signings
- 3:45pm - Closing Remarks
- 4pm - Free Time to Explore Concord
- 6pm - Celebration at Nancy's House
We have reserved a block of rooms for the Barefoot Retreat at Aloft Lexington (USD $154-164/night), located at 77 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA 02421. This hotel is just few minutes away from the Barefoot Retreat venues. To receive these special group rates, you must use the link above or book your room by calling Marriott Reservations directly no later than April 12th, 2024 and identifying yourself as part of the Barefoot Group staying at this location. Rooms may sell out before then. Don't delay!
Coordinate your travel plans with other Community Booksellers here.
Please note that we are unable to provide childcare during the Barefoot retreat. However, you are welcome to bring your infant to general sessions if you need to breastfeed. If you are traveling with your family, we will supply you a list of local attractions, and you are welcome to bring guest ages 12+ to the Saturday sessions and guest of any age to the Saturday night party!
Cancellation Policy: Please contact [email protected] if you need to cancel or change your registration to the conference. Cancellations after April 19th, 2024 will be nonrefundable. To cancel a hotel room, contact Aloft directly.
