SPECIAL EVENTS

Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales, five-week summer reading program with books about animals featured, for preschool through 6th-graders and adults reading to children through grade 2, during June and July; free. Contact your local library for information on program and prizes.

Creature Features, summer reading program for teens with books about creatures real and unreal, for grades 7-12 and 2006 high school graduates, during June and July; free. Contact your local library for information on the program and prizes.

Aloha Shorts, weekly radio show with readings of short stories by local authors, 5 p.m. Mondays, on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 with host Cedric Yamanaka. www.hawaiipublicradio.org/alohashorts.htm.

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere, 5:30 p.m. Mondays on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays on KTUH 90.3 FM. www.talkstoryradio.com.

Re: verses, spoken-word artists Travis Thompson and Allison Francis present poetry with an open mike and jazz by DJ Mr. Nick, 8-10 p.m. Tuesday, The ARTS at Marks Garage; $5. 521-2903.

Poetry Slam Workshop for Teens, ongoing Youth Speaks Hawai'i workshops in written and spoken word for students ages 13-19, working with members of the HawaiiSlam team, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free. 387-9664.

On the Spot — Word Play, one-act plays improvised from a word suggested by the audience, performed by Robb Bonnell, Rod Cachola, Garrick Paikai, Chris Riel, Shawn Thomsen and Danel Verdugo, 8 p.m. Saturday, The ARTS at Marks Garage; $14 general, $10 students. Tickets at the door or www.honoluluboxoffice.com, 550-8457.

Imagining Other Lives, Other Times, Other Places, 13th biennial Children's Literature Conference, three-day conference with presentations and discussions on interpreting, using and creating literature, for parents, teachers, writers, illustrators and others interested in children's literature, with speakers Karen Hesse and Jerry Pinkney, June 15-17, UH-Manoa Campus Center; most events free, $20-$25 for some workshops. 956-7559, www.english.hawaii.edu/CLH/2006.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Wyland signs his book, "Hold Your Water," 2 p.m. today, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Robert Asahina signs "Just Americans: How Japanese Americans Won a War at Home and Abroad," 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Bestsellers, Bishop Square. 528-2378.

Leeta Wolfblack reads from and signs "The Adventures of Boy Hunter: Ishy," 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Native Winds Gift Gallery and Craft Supply. 734-8018.

FOR WRITERS

Children's Picture Book Writers and Illustrators Workshop led by James Rumford and sponsored by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Oct. 20 and 21, Academy Art Center at Linekona; $175 ($160 for society members). Registration deposit deadline is Wednesday. 373-9522.

Writing Retreat, Lillian Cunningham leads writers to create a story, poem, memoir or essay from a starter prompt and offers, with the group, noncritical responses to the work, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Windward Community College Hale Na'auao 146; $5. 235-7433.

Revising Toward Publication, five-session workshop by Cristina Salat on moving from rough draft to saleable work, with class and instructor critiques, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays, June 3-July 1, Volcano Village, Big Island; $195. (808) 967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

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 Mall (737-3323) and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center (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 under 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.

Play Mornings, independent playtime, for 2 and over, with educational games, 10 a.m. Thursday, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

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

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

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