Literacy is such an important skill, but not every child loves to read or even has access to books. Macomb Reads aims to change that.
This sixth annual event was created through a partnership with Macomb County’s Department of Planning and Economic Development, County Executive Mark Hackel, all 21 of the county’s school districts and select local entities, including the 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, with the sole purpose of inspiring kids to read.
“We have children in the county who don’t have home libraries or many books in the home and this event provides an opportunity not only for students to engage with illustrators and authors, but it also gives them an opportunity to get free books to add to or begin building their home libraries,” says Dr. Alesia Flye, the assistant superintendent for instruction and chief academic officer for the Macomb Intermediate School District. “We know the more opportunity that students get to read, it positively impacts their development. It can be life changing.”
The Macomb Reads event, which happens on Nov. 2, 2024, is aimed at Pre-K through 6th grade. This in-person event boasts tons of fun for families.
Starting at 10 a.m. and going until 2 p.m., this year’s event, which is themed “Reading Carnival,” features free children’s books, a giant map of Michigan with activities that students can engage in, 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.
In addition, families will score some delicious Michigan cider and doughnuts — and learn how to make cider, too from Yates Cider Mill. They’ll also get the chance to see author, Johnathan Rand and illustrator Brittany Jackson. Rand is the author of the Michigan Chillers series and Jackson is the illustrator of the Parker series. Rand has been a hit with families for the past couple years, Flye notes, so he’s back again to interact with the kids. “This is Brittany Jackson’s second year with us and we’re excited about that,” Flye says.
There will be many costumed characters there. “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.
Face painting, a selfie station and literacy Bingo are also part of the festivities. 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.
Macomb Reads is a free event open to all kids including those outside of Macomb County. Registration is required for the event. You can register at misd.net/MacombReads.
“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.”
This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated for 2024.
For more information on #MacombReads, visit the MISD website. For more information on 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.
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