OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Join the city for a summer reading series supporting childhood literacy. The City of Ocala is hosting its summer Reading with the Ranger literacy program beginning on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 2-3 p.m. Families can enjoy story time sessions for the children as City of Ocala Park Rangers read themed books.

This series will feature interactive read-aloud sessions where rangers will read stories to kids in various public parks and community spaces throughout Ocala. Some sessions will also contain small, interactive activities for hands-on learning with nature observations, movement games and more. Sessions will take place outdoors when whether permits in each setting, promoting outdoor reading.

All sessions will take place on Fridays from 2-3 p.m. with the first reading taking place at Tuscawilla Park, 800 NE Sanchez Ave. The next session will take place on June 12 at Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St. Additional sessions are schedules for June 26 at Lillian Bryant Park, 2200 NW 17th Pl.; July 10 at Heritage Nature Conservancy, 2005 NE Third St.; July 17 at Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave. and July 24 at Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave.

This family-friendly program is free to attend and open to the public to support literacy in the city. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and snacks for a comfortable reading experience.