Spring Book Bash Coming To Washington Heights Park: What To Know

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Mark your calendars as the Spring Book Bash is coming to Mitchel Square Park in Washington Heights on June 19.

Nearly 4,000 books will be given to children for free on the day, including options in both English and Spanish and books with Latinx characters and written by Latinx authors.

The Book Bash will go from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, at Mitchel Square Park (166th and Broadway).

The book festival is organized by Behind the Books, in partnership with the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance's Uptown Arts Stroll. The mission of the Behind the Books organization is to develop engaged readers and writers in underserved NYC public schools by "designing and delivering literacy programs that are multi-disciplinary, culturally responsive, and their authors."

The organization works with PreK to 12th graders in Title 1 schools.

Behind the Book gives books to students at the beginning of the school year, for winter break, and at the end of the school year while also sending books to community centers and shelters in the neighborhoods where schools are located.

The Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance is a nonprofit founded in 2007 with a mission to cultivate, support, and promote artists and arts organizations in Northern Manhattan.

The Spring Book Bash will also include a storytelling area where people can read aloud from new books the kids have picked.

In total, the Spring Book Bash will provide 3,800 free books to young people.

You can find out more about Behind the Book on its website.