CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK

Storytime with Peter Rabbit, for children ages 3 and up; 10:30 a.m.; Nov. 16; state Library; free; 586-3510.

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators-Hawai'i members will sign their books; 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Nov. 17; Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall; free; 377-5651.

Storytellers Nyla Fujii-Babb, Antonio Rocha, Juan L. Sanchez and Dann Seki, and performers Yukie Shiroma and Kenny Endo, will give free performances throughout the week at public libraries across the state; locations and times: www.librarieshawaii.org.

THE BIG READ

For more events, visit www.hawaiicapitalculture.org and click on the "Big Read" logo.

Book discussions, led by various facilitators: 11 a.m., Nov. 13, Bond Memorial Public Library, Kapa'au, Big Island, 808-889-6655; 6:30 p.m., Nov. 13, Kahuku Public and School Library, 293-8935; 7 p.m., Nov. 14, Lihu'e Public Library, Kaua'i, 808-241-3222. Free.

Adult Story Program: "The Joy Luck Club," portions of the novel are read aloud by guest readers; 12-1 p.m.; Wednesdays through Nov. 21; state Library; free; 586-3499.

SPECIAL EVENTS

"Ka Mo'olelo O Hi'iakaikapoliopele," book launch and program; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Nov. 11; Foster Botanical Garden; free; 522-7066.

Sally-Jo Bowman, writer, gives a series of presentations and workshops on the Big Island based on the book "No Footprints in the Sand: A Memoir of Kalaupapa," which she co-authored: 12-1 p.m., Nov. 11, Basically Books, Hilo, free, 808-961-0144; 6-7 p.m., Nov. 14, University of Hawai'i-Hilo Campus Center, Room 301, free, 808-974-7499; 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Nov. 17, Konea O Kukui Garden, North Kohala, $35, 808-889-5572, 808-889-5852.

"Cloud Moving Hands," poetry reading by Cathy Song; 7 p.m.; Nov. 15; Punahou School, Luke Lecture Hall in the Wo International Center; free; 626-1481.

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

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

BOOK SIGNINGS

Lynn Rasmussen will sign her book, "Men are Easy," 12 p.m. Nov. 11 at Borders, Windward Mall, 235-8789; 3 p.m. Nov. 11 at Borders, Ward Centre, 591-8995.

University of Hawai'i head football coach June Jones will sign the new book "Hawai'i Warrior Football: A Story of Faith, Hope, and Redemption," 12-1 p.m. Nov. 11 at Borders, Waikele; 676-6699.

UH-Manoa authors' book signing, 12 writers will sign their works, 12-1 p.m. Nov. 13 at the UH-Manoa Bookstore; 956-4338.

Evan and Kari Leong will sign their book, "The Greater Good: Life Lessons from Hawai'i's Leaders," 3 p.m. Nov. 17 at Borders, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

FOR WRITERS

O'ahu Arts Center seeks entries in fiction, nonfiction and poetry for its annual writing contest; postmark deadline Nov. 17; $10 per entry; one entry per category; 627-1079, www.oahuartscenter.org.

The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is accepting nominations for the Hawai'i Award for Literature; deadline Nov. 23; 586-9965, www.hawaii.gov/sfca.

Hawai'i Pacific University seeks entries from Hawai'i residents of one year or longer for the James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry: Submit three poems, each 100 lines or less, with contact information and the names of the three poems on a cover letter but no name on all other pages, plus a five-line biography to James M. Vaughan Award for Poetry, 1060 Bishop St., LB 7A, Honolulu, HI 96813. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 1. 544-1108.

Stanford University Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation are accepting nominations for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, which recognizes newly-published works of fiction and nonfiction; deadline Jan. 31; http://library.stanford.edu/saroyan.

FOR KEIKI

Hawaii Center for the Book, Letters About Literature essay contest for grades 4-12; deadline for entries Dec. 14; 586-3555.

O'ahu Family and Community Education Essay and Artwork Contest for fourth-graders; through Jan. 31; 455-2740.

Keiki storytime, 45-minute storytimes followed by simple craft for ages 3 and older; 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

Preschool storytime, 30-minute storytimes for ages 3 to 5; 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 11 through Nov. 13; Mililani Public Library; free; 627-7470.

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

Preschool craft & storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Kahala; free; 737-3323.

Preschool craft & storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; free; 949-7307.

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers for 12 and younger and their parents; 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; Honolulu Academy of Arts; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents; 532-8700.

Toddler storytime, books, finger plays, matching games and songs for ages 1 1/2 to 3; 10:05 a.m. Wednesdays; McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; 973-1099.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays, sing-alongs and a craft for ages 2 1/2 and older; 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

Keiki storytime, stories, songs, sing-alongs and other activities; 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kahuku Public & School Library; free; 293-8935.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and a simple craft for ages 3-5; 10:30-11 a.m. Wednesdays; Wahiawa Public Library; free; 622-6345.

Keiki storytime; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Borders, Ward Centre; free; 591-8995.

Puzzletime storytime, toddler stories and songs with time for educational board puzzles for ages 18 months and older; 9:30 a.m. Thursdays; Pearl City Public Library; free; 453-6566.

Children's storytime, listen to stories and learn a simple craft, for ages 3 and up; 10:30 a.m. Thursdays; Kaimuki Public Library; free; 733-8422.

Children's storytime; 3 p.m.; third Thursday of the month through May 2008; Kalihi-Palama Public Library; free; 832-3466.

Children's storytime, stories read aloud and simple crafts; 10 a.m. Saturdays; Waialua Public Library; free; 637-8286.

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.