SPECIAL EVENTS

"McDermott in Motion," storytelling by Nyla Fujii-Babb and dance by Yukie Shiroma bring life to the picture-book art of Gerald McDermott, 5 p.m. tomorrow, Hawai'i Kai Public Library; free. Also, on Maui, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Kahului Public Library, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Lahaina Public Library. Call your local library for details.

Youth Speaks Hawai'i, free slam poetry workshops, hosted by Kealoha, TravisT, Melvin, Darron, and Lyz, 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage. 387-9664.

Ronald Oba, author of "The Men in Company F," discusses his work and memories of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II, 9 a.m. Thursday, 'Aiea Public Library; free. 483-7333.

"Pagtatagpo: Filipino Writers Summit," roundtable discussion on Philippine writing in the U.S. between Josephine Barrios, R. Zamora Linmark, Ninotchka Rosca, Marianne Villanueva, Michelle Cruz Skinner and Francis Tanglao-Aguas, 2-5 p.m. Thursday, UH-Manoa QLC Student Services building 412; free, part of the Philippine Literature Festival, which continues with a musical and literary reception to showcase contributors to volume three of the Katipunan Literary Journal, 6-9 p.m. Friday, Philippine Consulate General of Hawai'i; free. 956-6970.

Martin Luther King Jr. Poetry Awards Ceremony, O'ahu students will be honored with reading of the winning poems from the contest sponsored by the MLK Jr. Coalition-Hawai'i and the International Peace Poem Project, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Friday, Mission Memorial auditorium, next to Honolulu Hale; free. 875-0315.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Robert Kiyosaki, author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," signs his latest book, "Why We Want You to be Rich," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala. 737-3323.

Joseph Stanton reads from and signs "A Field Guide to the Wildlife of Suburban O'ahu," 2 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Ellie Crowe signs "Hawai'i: A Pictorial Celebration," 4 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala. 737-3323.

FOR WRITERS

Aloha Performing Arts Company seeks scripts of any length and on any subject for the Aug. 15-18 Original Play Festival. Plays chosen for the festival will be mounted as staged readings, with minimal rehearsal and simple technical presentation. Submit three copies of typewritten plays without author name (include a sperate cover sheet with author's name and contact information) to: APAC OPF XIV, PO Box 794, Kealakekua, HI 96750. Additional requirements: (808) 322-9924. Postmark deadline is May 21.

READING GROUPS

Literature Readers Group, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Borders Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Borders Bestseller Reading Group, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Borders Waikele. 676-6699.

Contemporary Fiction Reading Group, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala. 737-3323.

Romance Readers Anonymous, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Borders Waikele. 676-6699.

Romantic Borders Reading Group, 7 p.m. Thursday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler Storytime, stories, fingerplays, song for children, 2-3 years, 10 a.m. Mondays, through April 23, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

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.

Pre-School Storytime, read-aloud stories, sing-along songs and playtime activities for ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays through April 17, Waipahu Public Library's C.O. Andy Anderson Room. 675-0358.

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).

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 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.

Preschool Storytime, read-aloud stories, sing-along songs and playtime activities for ages 3-5, 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays through May 23, Pearl City Public Library. 453-6566.

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

Pre-School Storytime, read aloud stories, sing-along songs and a simple craft for children, 3-5 years, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through April 25, Wahiawa Public Library. 622-6345.

Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through April 28, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Storytime and Activities, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and a craft, 10 a.m. Saturdays through May 26, Waialua Public Library; free. 637-8286.

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

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