SPECIAL EVENTS

Let Reading Take You Over the Hedge!, keiki reading incentive program sponsored by Hawai'i public libraries and DreamWorks Animation, in conjunction with the May 19 release of the movie "Over the Hedge," to encourage children to read at least three books, now through May 26, for prizes and giveaways. Call your local library for details.

Bookfair to benefit 'Ohi'a Productions; ask for a voucher when you buy a book and part of the proceeds will go to the nonprofit production company, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. today; also, bookfair to benefit Wai'anae High School, 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and May 14; Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Aloha Shorts, weekly radio show with readings of short stories from local authors, 5 p.m. Mondays, on Hawai'i Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM 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 Hawai'i Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays on KTUH 90.3 FM. www.talkstoryradio.com.

Discussion of "Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Kapolei Public Library (693-7050); 3 p.m. Wednesday, Manoa Public Library. 988-0459.

41st Annual Nene Award Presentation, 9:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, Kaimuki High School Performing Arts Center with guest author Kate DiCamillo, whose "Because of Winn-Dixie" won the 2005 Nene award; DiCamillo signs her book, 3 p.m., Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall; live interview 9:30-10 a.m. Thursday, DOE-TV Channel 56 with viewer call-ins; and at 3-4 p.m. DiCamillo will speak at the Kailua Public Library. 254-7944.

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.

Searider Story Night, Wai'anae High School students read aloud children's stories, 6 p.m. Thursday, Wai'anae High School Library; activities and a book drive also, donate children's books; free. 697-7031.

Play Reading of Eugene O'Neill's "Desire Under the Elms," 6 p.m. Friday, First Unitarian Church; free. 595-4047.

Tales of Old Hawaii, storytelling/drama event for youth 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew's Cathedral; by Honolulu Theatre for Youth; adults $16, youth under 18 and seniors over 60 $8; American sign language interpreted show 11:30 a.m. 839-9885, www.htyweb.org.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Napua Chapman signs "Sugar and Smoke: A Novel," 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today, Waioli Tea Room. sugarandsmoke.com.

Jim Little signs "Plumerias in Hawaii and How to Grow Them," noon today, Borders Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Joan Namkoong signs "Food Lover's Guide to Honolulu," today, noon-1 p.m., Native Books, Ward Warehouse (596-8885); 2-3 p.m., Borders, Pearlridge Center (487-1818); 4-5 p.m., Barnes and Noble, Ala Moana (949-7307).

Mellie Enos signs "The Guide to Making Ribbon Lei," 1-2 p.m. today, Craft Supply of Honolulu, Pearl Highlands. 456-3533.

Bobbie Doerr signs David Halberstram's "The Teammates," 2 p.m. today, Borders Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Thomas Holland signs "One Drop of Blood," noon Saturday, Borders Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Betty Shimabukuro signs "The Search for Hawaii's Greatest Recipes," noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885.

Roberta Wong signs "Hawaiian Lei in Crochet" and "Fancy Hawaiian Lei in Crochet," 1 p.m. Saturday, Navy Exchange, Mall at Pearl Harbor. 423-3330.

READING GROUPS

African American Literary Reading Group, 6:15-8:30 p.m. tomorrow, 1311 Kapi'olani Blvd., Room 610; call ahead for book title. 597-1341.

Literature Readers Group discusses "My Dream of You" by Nuala O'Faolain, 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 Mall. 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 WRITERS

Aloha Performing Arts Company (Big Island) requests scripts for the Aug. 16-20 Original Play Festival. Selected plays will be mounted as stage readings with minimal rehearsal and simple technical presentation. For requirements: (808) 322-9924. Postmark deadline is May 27.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler Storytimes for ages 2 and 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) and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center (949-7307).

Preschool Storytime, for ages 2 and older, 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Pearl City Public Library. 453-6566.

Storytime, for ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Wahiawa Public Library. 622-6345.

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

Literacy through Arts Program for ages 4-18, 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Waimanalo Public Library. 259-2610.

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

Puzzletimes, stories and board puzzles for toddlers, 9:30 a.m. Thursdays, Pearl City Public Library. 453-6566.

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

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

Children's Story Circle, 11 a.m. Saturday, Native Winds. 734-8018.

Saturday Morning 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.