SPECIAL EVENTS

Talk Story Radio, weekly radio show, hosted by Jeff Gere, 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: Kids About Kids, stories told by Wayne Watkins, Makia Malo, Ivan Coyote, Dan Kelin and Janet Yap. www.talkstoryradio.com.

re: Verses, hosted by Lyz and TravisT, followed by music from DJ Mr. Nick, 8-10 p.m. Tuesday (doors open 7 p.m.), The ARTS at Marks Garage; $5. 753-4661.

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

Poetry Night, bring a poem (yours or another's) to share, 7-9 p.m. Friday, Volcano Garden Arts, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Big Island; free. (808) 967-7261.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Melissa DeSica launches her book "Gecko and Mosquito" with a reading and signing, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Tammy Paikai signs "Aloha Is...," 3-5 p.m. Saturday, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Gift Shop. 396-4229.

FOR WRITERS

Writing Retreat, meet other authors and share non-critical responses led by Lillian Cunningham, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Windward Community College Hale Na'auao 146; bring writing materials, sack lunch and drink mug; $5, for 16 years and older. 235-7433.

Windward Christian Writers Group, give and receive constructive criticism on works in progress, discuss writing from a Christian perspective and learn about publishing opportunities, 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Faith Baptist Church, Kailua. 372-0274.

FOR KEIKI

"Stories to Solve: Puzzles and Riddles," storyteller Vicky Dworkin invites children, 5 and over, to offer answers to dilemmas that face characters in stories, 10:30 a.m. today, Kaimuki Public Library; also 1 p.m. Wednesday, Kahuku Public & School Library and 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Hawai'i Kai Public Library.

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, 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.

Guest Storyteller, readings by visiting librarian Joyce Felmet from Pearl City Public Library, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Kahuku Public & School Library. 293-8935.

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

Keiki Storytime, stories for ages 2-5, 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Kailua Public Library. 266-9911.

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.

Storytime with Nyla Fujii-Babb, tales, songs and rhymes for pre-schoolers to grade 2, 10:30 a.m. Fridays, Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library. 831-6831.

"Word Power: Poetry for Kids," Glenis Redmond from North Carolina shares poetry inspired by her life experiences, 10:45 a.m. Friday, Lahaina Public Library, Maui; also, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Kahului Public Library, Maui, and 2:30 p.m. Makawao Public Library.

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.