Turlock Unified School District is hosting the fourth annual Reading Extravaganza – in partnership with Turlock Amazon and Fresno-based nonprofit Reading Heart – on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at Pitman High School.

Admission is free, with thousands of free books, school supplies, and backpacks available (while supplies last), as well as a free lunch courtesy of the Kiwanis of Greater Turlock, which will be grilling up hot dogs.

“Literacy is obviously a major focus for TUSD,” said Marie Russell, director of communications, family engagement, and outreach for the district. “And this year we’re putting added emphasis on kindergarten through second-grade literacy. We’re always excited to get books in the hands of the community, especially these days when there are so many digital options.”

Young readers will be provided with a tote bag that they can fill with free books. There will also be games, activities, vendors, and informational booths from local organizations for families to visit.

Local vendors slated to appear include Dales Gourmet Kettle Corn and Agua Frescas, Fancy Sweets, Hot Subs and Fries, Kona Ice, Tom's Coffee, and Starbucks.

The Turlock Family Resource Center, Without Permission, Stanislaus State, Turlock Public Library, and the Turlock Police Department will also be on site to connect with the community.

“It’s nice to have a home library that allows parents to read books to their child,” said Russell. “We’re excited to partner with Turlock Amazon MCE1 and Reading Heart for the fourth year in a row. And it’s also nice that we’re able to have our community partners there to get out information about themselves.”

An estimated 2,000 people attended the event in 2025, and each young reader’s tote was able to fit 10 to 15 books.

Reading Heart was founded by 20-year-old Danay Ferguson of Fresno – she was 7 when she started the organization – after visiting children at local hospitals. Reading Heart’s mission is to spread the joy of reading and improve literacy in communities across the country, especially to children with limited access to books or who are hospitalized.

Reading Heart accepts book donations from the community. Those books are then re-donated to individuals in need or at special events like the Reading Extravaganza. Since its founding, the organization has collected nearly 1.5 million books and has donated more than 900,000.

For more information, visit ReadingHeart.org.