SPECIAL EVENTS

Library Book Sale, fiction 50 cents each, and other books and videos at reduced prices, sponsored by Friends of the Pearl City Library, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Pearl City Public Library; free admission. 453-6566.

"Every Child Ready to Read Workshop," parents and caregivers of children ages 2-3 learn the importance of early literacy and how to develop pre-reading skills, 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Liliha Public Library's meeting room; free. 587-7577.

"Aloha Shorts," weekly radio 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.hawaiipublicradio.org/alohashorts.htm.

"Talk Story Radio," weekly radio show hosted by Jeff Gere, with Island storytellers telling Hawaiian and Pacific Rim stories, 5:30 p.m. Mondays on Hawaii Public Radio station KIPO 89.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays on KTUH 90.3 FM. This week, stories and songs on the theme "War." www.talkstoryradio.com.

"Re: Verses," poetry reading by Selah Geissler, Tiare Nichols, Harumi, Rene Briones and others, with an open-mike session and jazz, 8-10 p.m. Tuesday (doors open 7 p.m.), 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. Wednesday, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free. 387-9664.

"Mo'ili'ili — The Life of the Community," lecture by Laura Ruby on coordinating the Mo'ili'ili history project, noon-1:15 p.m. Thursday, UH-Manoa, Henke Hall, Room 325; free. 956-3774.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Raj Kumar signs his works before and after the showing of the film "Ayureveda," 5 p.m. Sunday, UH-Manoa, Spalding Auditorium; $5. 223-0130. Also, book-signing for Kumar's "Pearls of Wisdom for Everyday Living," 1 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Lois-Ann Yamanaka signs "Behold the Many," 7 p.m. Thursday, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885. Also, 1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Kahului, Maui. (808) 877-6160.

Judi Riley signs "When I am Quiet on O'ahu" and "When I am Quiet on Maui," 6:30 p.m. Friday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307. Also, noon Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre (591-8995) and 2 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Waikele (676-6699).

Peter Forman signs his book "Wings of Paradise," 2 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

FOR WRITERS

9th annual Ko'olau Writing Workshops, with guest speaker Robert Sullivan and a series of workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction and scriptwriting, 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Hawai'i Pacific University, Kane'ohe; breakfast provided, bring your own lunch; $10 suggested donation ($5 students). Registration: 544-9340, 544-1108.

Lorin Tarr Gill Biennial Writing Competition 2006, entries of poetry, fiction and nonfiction sought for cash prizes by the Honolulu Branch of the National League of American Pen Women. $5 fee per entry. Guidelines and application at www.nlapwhonolu lu.org. Deadline is March 10.

Maui Arts & Cultural Center seeks quotes to be included on new outdoor benches on the theme, "What do art and culture mean to you?" Quotes may be your own or from persons or sources that have inspired you. Submit up to three original or cited statements, 60 words or fewer, with the your contact information and the author's name and, if known, their age, address, phone and e-mail to kristina@mauiarts.org or call (808) 242-2787. Deadline is April 1.

VSA arts seeks submissions of original one-act plays from students in grades 6-12 for the 22nd annual Playwright Discovery Award. Two winning scripts, which express how disability affects a person's life, will be selected for performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and the authors will receive up to $1,500 and a trip to Washington, D.C. to see their play performed. Guidelines and application: www.vsarts.org, (800) 933-8721. Submission deadline is April 14.

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 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).

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.

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

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

Saturday Morning Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center; this Saturday, come dressed as your favorite princess or hero. 949-7307.

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.