SPECIAL EVENTS

Holiday Book Drive, bring gently used children's books to Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center, through Jan. 1, for distribution to the children's literacy program Read to Me International. 949-7307.

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

Talk Story Radio, with local storytellers telling local stories, 5:30 p.m. Mondays, on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 with host Jeff Gere. www.talkstoryradio.com.

Every Child Ready to Read, workshop for parents of children ages 2-3 with information on the importance of literacy and how to develop pre-reading skills, 10:15-11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Kane'ohe Public Library; free. Registration requested: 233-5676.

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.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Rosia Romiro signs "Hawaiian Scrapbooking, Vol. 1: Floral Designs," 11 a.m. today, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Sue Cowing signs "My Dog Has Flies: Poetry for Hawai'i's Kids," noon-1 p.m. today, Borders Express, Pearlridge. 488-9488.

Vera Arita signs "All Around the Islands," noon-1 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi signs "101 Great Desserts from Hawai'i's Favorite Restaurants," 2 p.m. today, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Jim Chiddix and MacKinnon Simpson sign "Next Stop Honolulu," 12:30 p.m. Monday, Bestsellers, Bishop Square. 528-2378.

Michael T. Yamamoto, Nina Yuriko (Ota) Sylva and Karen N. Yamamoto sign their book, "Waipahu ... Recollections from a Sugar Plantation Community in Hawai'i," 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Hawaii's Plantation Village, Waipahu. 677-0110.

Tim Anderson and John Bilderback sign "The Surfer Spirit," 8 p.m. Friday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Mary Philpotts McGrath, co-editor of "Hawai'i: A Sense of Place," signs 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307. Also, 2-3 p.m. Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

Rosa Say signs "Managing with Aloha," 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sam's Club, Ke'eaumoku. 945-9841. Also, 2-3 p.m. Sam's Club, Pearl City. 456-7788.

Pearl Maxner signs "My Hawaiian Farm," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Kona, Big Island. (808) 331-1668.

Lisa Matsumoto and Michael Furuya sign their book and CD, "The Christmas Gift of Aloha," 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Ala Moana Centerstage. 247-0456.

Sharon Carter signs her book and mini-CD "Let's Learn the Hawaiian Alphabet" and "Learn to Count in Hawaiian," 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Kona, Big Island. (808) 331-1668.

Simeon Den signs and reads from "8 Meditations on Urban Life," 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Coffee Talk, Kaimuki. 737-7444.

FOR WRITERS

Hawai'i Pacific University accepts entries for its 18th annual Hawai'i High School Writing Competition. Open to high school juniors and seniors with cash prizes for winning works and an invitation to the awards banquet in March. The theme for the competition is a political, economic or social development that has impacted Hawaiian history and its relevance to life in the Islands today. Essays judged on originality, analysis, vocabulary, syntax and ability to defend the thesis. Mail entries, with a completed awards nomination form, to The Office of Scholarships and Honors Program, Hawai'i Pacific University, 1164 Bishop St., Ste. 210A, Honolulu, HI, 96813. Forms available from high school counselors and English teachers or downloaded from www.hpu.edu (type "high school competition" in the search box.) Postmark deadline is Dec. 15. 544-1419.

The Hawai'i Review, the University of Hawai'i student-run literary and fine-arts journal, calls for submissions of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction from current graduate and undergraduate students for the Spring 2006 issue. Guidelines: 956-3030, hireview@hawaii.edu. Deadline is Dec. 31.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler Storytime, for ages 2-3, 10 a.m. Mondays, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Tiny Tales for Tiny Tots, stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft to take home, for keiki 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.

Preschool Storytime, for ages 3-4, 10 a.m. Thursdays, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Saturday Storytimes, 10 a.m. Saturdays, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Keiki Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

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.