For a comprehensive list, see www.honoluluadvertiser.com/islandlife.

SPECIAL EVENTS

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.

First Thursday Poetry Slam, hosted by Kealoha with guest Bryonn Bain (Nuyorican Poet) and the "No Rules" summer slam, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Ala Moana hotel's Hawaiian Hut; $3 prior to and $5 after 8:30 p.m., evening's poetry winner receives $100. www.hawaiislam.com, 387-9664.

FOR WRITERS

Honolulu Chapter of The National Writers Association meeting, manuscript critique, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Borders-Ward Centre; bring 10 copies of one manuscript of five pages or less; free. 988-8043.

FOR KEIKI

"It's Book Time with Ronald McDonald," interactive performance with music, magic and games, 3 p.m. tomorrow, Kaimuki Public Library; sponsored by McDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii. 733-8422. Also, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Wai'anae Public Library (697-7868) and 10:30 a.m. Friday, Waimanalo Public & School Library (259-2610).

Pre-School Storytime, for ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Mililani Public Library. 627-7470.

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

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala (737-3323); and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana (949-7307).

Read Me a Story, books read by volunteer storytellers, 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays (closed July 4), 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.

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

Storytime in the Garden, stories, songs, nature crafts and visit to a tree led by Lorraine Stringfellow, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursdays, Foster Botanical Garden; free. Reservation: 522-7064.

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

"The Magic of Reading," Uncle Wayne and Magic Mark Kroll combine puppetry, comedy, magic and audience participation to explore topics relevant to children, ages 5 and over, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library. 973-1099.

"Stories to Solve: Puzzles and Riddles," storyteller Vicky Dworkin invites children, 5 and over, to offer answers to dilemmas that face characters in stories, 1 p.m. Saturday, Liliha Public Library. 587-7577.

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.