The Newton Teachers Association held its first Book Block Party on Sunday afternoon at its Crafts Street office location, and hundreds of Newton families stopped in to check it out.

“We wanted to host a community event to make sure that all the kids in the community have access to books, and then we wanted it to be a place where community members could come and spend time,” Cabot Elementary School educator Brenna Green said. “So we created a reading corner, and we have an artist here who’s helping the kids with making watercolor bookmarks.”

And, of course, there was ice cream.

Everything was free, allowing families to join in regardless of income or economic status. And the event was a hit. Organizers estimate a few hundred attendees throughout the afternoon. The rain likely helped steer many there as well.

The Newton Teachers Association is a union with almost 2,000 members throughout Newton’s public schools. The organization has begun contract negotiations with the Newton School Committee for its next contract, with its current contract set to expire next year.

Ryan and Katie Normandin volunteer at the Newton Teachers Association Book Block Party on Sept. 27, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle