Literacy is such an essential life skill, but not every child loves to read or even has access to books. Every autumn, the Macomb Reads Reading Carnival aims to change that.
This seventh annual event — returning Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 — was created through a partnership with Macomb County’s Department of Planning and Economic Development, County Executive Mark Hackel and all 21 of the county’s school districts.
It also includes select local entities like Anton Art Center, United Shore Professional Baseball League at Jimmy Johns Field, All the World’s A Stage, the Clinton-Macomb Public Library, the Detroit Zoo and Detroit Public Television.
Their sole purpose? Inspiring kids to read.
“We have children in the county who don’t have home libraries or many books in the home,” says Dr. Alesia Flye, Macomb Intermediate School District’s chief academic officer. “This event provides an opportunity not only for students to engage with illustrators and authors, but also to get free books to add to or begin their home libraries.”
A fun and inspiring day in store
The Macomb Reads Reading Carnival, set for Nov. 8, 2025, is aimed at Pre-K through 6th grade students. This in-person event boasts tons of fun for families.
Running 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) — located at 44001 Garfield Road in Clinton Township — this year’s event features:
- Free children’s books
- Puppet and magic shows
- Art activities with the Anton Art Center
- Hands-on STEM activities from the International Academy of Macomb (IAM)
- High school robotics teams and STEM demos with representatives from Lawrence Technological University
- Face painting, a selfie station and literacy bingo
In addition, families can enjoy some delicious Michigan cider and doughnuts — and learn how to make cider, too from Yates Cider Mill.
Most of the fun takes place indoors, but you’ll find games — like giant Jenga, Plinko, giant Connect 4, cornhole toss, ladder ball and a basketball hoop — along with a DJ Zak Atak playing music outside.
Authors, illustrators and characters to meet
A few special guests will be on hand to get kids excited about reading:
- Author Johnathan Rand. Rand has written the Michigan Chillers series. He’s been a hit with families in years past, Flye says, so he’s back again to interact with the kids.
- Author Leslie Helakoski. Helakoski is a children’s picture book writer who has also illustrated a few. Some of her latest titles include Ready or Not and Hoot & Honk Just Can’t Sleep.
- Illustrator Brittany Jackson. Jackson’s work appears in the Parker series. “This is Brittany Jackson’s third year with us, and we’re excited about that,” Flye adds.
You’ll find plenty costumed characters here, too.
“We will have the puppet show, Alex Thomas and Friends, Bluey, the Minions, Spiderman, Pikachu and even a magician named Jasen Magic,” Flye says. “There will also be some Macomb County high school mascots, such as the Romeo Bulldogs and the Eisenhower Eagle.”
Literacy opportunities for all local kids
The Macomb Reads Reading Carnival is a free event open to all kids, including those outside of Macomb County. Registration is required for both children and adults. You can register for the event on MISD’s Macomb Reads pages.
“When we talk about literacy, we know that it sets the early foundation,” Flye says. “The earlier we can get students engaged with reading, it just benefits them and sets them up for more successful lifelong learning. It can be life changing.”
This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated for 2025 by Naomi Kayser and Kim Kovelle. For more information on #MacombReads — and living and learning in Macomb County — visit Make Macomb Your Home. Find more articles like this at Metro Parent’s A Family Guide to Macomb County.
