SPECIAL EVENTS

Holiday Book Drive: Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana, will distribute books — purchased by customers as donations — to nonprofit organizations that promote literacy for children, through Jan. 1. 944-3135.

The 2006 Cades Awards for Literature: Nominees can be poets, playwrights, novelists, essayists or others associated with the literary arts in Hawai'i. Previous winners are not eligible. Send nominations and supporting material by Jan. 31 to Cades Award, Box 11213, Honolulu, HI 96828. 263-5627.

FOR WRITERS

PoemPlay Workshop: Children ages 8-12 read, write and interpret poetry and develop performance pieces, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and Jan. 3-6, Aloha Performing Arts Company loft studio and Aloha Theatre, Kainaliu, Big Island; $175. (808) 322-9924.

2006 Kumu Kahua Theatre/UHM Theatre Department Playwriting Contest, with prizes in three categories: plays set in Hawai'i or reflect the Hawaiian experience by residents or nonresidents; plays set in or dealing with Pacific Island, Pacific Rim or Pacific/Asian American experience by residents or nonresidents; and plays on any topic written by Hawai'i residents. 536-4222, www.kumukahua.org. Entry deadline is Jan. 2.

FOR KEIKI

Tiny Tales for Tiny Tots: stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft to take home, for 4 and younger, 9-9:45 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Kalihi-Palama Public Library. 832-3466.

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala (737-3323); and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana (949-7307).

Read Me a Story: books read by volunteer storytellers, 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Keiki Reading Room in Gallery 31 (lower level of Banyan Court); for 12 and younger and their parents; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents. 532-8700.

Keiki Storytime, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Storytimes: stories, sing-alongs and crafts for preschoolers, 10 a.m. Thursday and Saturday, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Saturday Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala. 737-3323

Saturday Morning Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana. 949-7307.

Wally Amos Reads to Kids: reading of Amos' childrens books and samples of fresh-baked cookies, 2-3 p.m. Saturdays, through Jan. 20, Chip & Cookie Store, Kailua; free. 261-1811.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to: Lit Beat, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.