Lit Beat

Advertiser Staff

SIGNING

Tokie Ching, author of "A Hawai'i Japanese New Year with Yuki-chan," noon to 1 p.m. today, Waldenbooks, Pearlridge; also 12:30-1:30 p.m. tomorrow, Bestsellers, downtown.

Hawaiian Beginning Hawaiian Language Class, 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall; free.

FOR WRITERS

BEACHHOUSE PUBLISHING seeks poetry for a children's book with Hawaiian themes. Send submissions to beachhousepub@hawaii.rr.com or P.O. Box 2926, 'Ewa Beach, HI 96706. Deadline: Friday.

STAR POETS 2004 is accepting submissions from students in grades 3-12 for National Poetry Month (April) cash prizes. Entry forms at Starbucks stores on O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island, and www.starbuckshawaii.com. Entry deadline: Jan. 15.

PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES of children's book illustrations are being offered by the Hawai'i chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Entries will be critiqued by local professionals in the field; the best will be selected for critique by Nina Laden, illustrator and featured speaker at the March 6 conference of the society. Work must be suitable for picture-book publishing: in print, photo or tearsheet form (not original or slides); 15 images maximum or a single book dummy. Artwork will not be returned. Fee: $30. Include separate, stamped, self-addressed envelope. Send to: SCBWI Portfolio Critique, 2084 Young St., Suite E, Honolulu, HI 96826. Deadline: Feb. 14. Information: 373-9522, contactcowing@aloha.net.

FOR KEIKI

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Waikele; also 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Ward Centre; free.

Barnes & Noble Craft and Story Time, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, Kahala Mall; free. 737-3323.

Let's Write A Poem! Let's Draw a Picture!, a four-session series for children in grades 1-3, sponsored by Windward Community College and the Starbucks Foundation, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 4-25, WCC's Hale Alakai 102; repeats Feb. 1-22; $10 per series. Registration: 235-7433.