SPECIAL

MEET PONO THE POI DOG "IN PERSON" at an appearance and book signing by "Pono, The Dog That Dreams" author Jocelyn Fujii and illustrator Donna Burns, 1 p.m. Dec. 7, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995. Also: booksigning, 2 p.m. Dec. 13, Borders Books, Waikele.

DR. WILLIAM SEARS, pediatrician and best-selling author of over 40 childcare books, will offer two Hawai'i seminars on child nutrition and parenting: 7 p.m. Dec. 8, and 10 a.m. Dec. 9; at New Hope Diamond Head Resource Center, Kahala Mall (a Christmas Boutique will be held an hour before; and Dr. Sears will sign book copies for an hour after); $20/at door; 256-9002.

SPECIAL CHILDREN'S CRAFT SESSION planned as part of Tamara Montgomery and Jody Parry Belknap autograph session for TiQri the Little Snow Fox, 6 p.m. Dec. 9, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

KALEI'OPU'U ELEMENTARY ANNUAL SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 9-17, school library; 677-6674. Also:

• Family Christmas Craft Night and "Build a Book" activity, for parents and children, 6-7:30 p.m. Dec. 10.

• Family Movie Night, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 12.

Keiki storytime with wally amos, story read-aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2 to 5; 10:30-11 a.m. Dec. 10; Kailua Public Library, under "The Reading Tree"; free; 266-9911.

"WINTER IN HAWAI'I," interactive holiday sing-alongs for toddlers and preschoolers, featuring Aubrey Myers of La-Ti-Da Music, 10 a.m. Dec. 10, Wailuku Public Library; 10:30 a.m. Dec. 17, Kahului Public Library and 10 a.m. Dec. 18, Makawao Public Library; free; 831-6877.

"TEEN CRAFT: ENVELOPE GIFT BAGS," workshop for children 12 and above (and interested adults), on turning junk mail and envelopes into useful gift bags, 3-4 p.m. Dec. 10, 'Aina Haina Public Library; free; 377-2456.

GROWING CREATIONS FARMS will display fresh herbs and orchid plants, with a store selection of gardening and plant care books, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 13, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

DARREN PARK and follow fishermen from C4 Video Productions will be on hand to display fishing poles/reels/gyotaku prints and tackle demonstrations, with sale of "Shorefishing Hawai'i," 1-4 p.m. Dec. 13, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

JOHN CRUZ WILL PERFORM and sign copies of his CD, "One of These Days," 3 p.m. Dec. 13, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

"FUROSHIKI: Alternative to Gift Wrapping," workshop for seniors and adults, on using the Japanese fabric- square gift-wrap method, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 13, 'Aina Haina Public Library; free; 377-2456.

"READ TO A DOG" CHILDREN'S REMEDIAL LIBRARY READING SESSIONS, for children, grades 1-3, who need encouragement reading, conducted by Andrea O'Connor of the Intermountain Therapy Animals group, 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 20, Kailua Public Library; registration, 266-9911.

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH DEC. 15 for the 2008 Elliott Cades Awards for Literature, for authors — one established, one emerging — either Hawai'i-based or dealing with Hawai'i issues; nomination letter (no formal application form) to Hawai'i Literary Arts Council, P.O. Box 11213, Honolulu, HI 96828; 263-5627.

"10th ANNUAL STAR POETS" AND "POEMS FOR PEACE" CONTESTS, sponsored by Windward Community College and Starbucks Hawaii, for students, grades 3-12; entry deadline Jan. 26; forms and rules, www.windward.hawaii.edu/poets; Libby Young, 235-7396.

Youth Speaks Hawaii, 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 KTUH 90.3 FM, 7 p.m. Thursdays; www.talkstoryradio.com.

BOOK SIGNINGS

MARION LYMAN-MERSEREAU will sign copies of "Eddie Wen' Go: The Story of the Upside-Down Canoe," 2 p.m. Dec. 7, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

AUTHOR CHRISTINE LE and illustrator, Michel Le will sign their book, The Hawai'i Snowman," 1-3:30 p.m. Dec. 7, Costco Iwilei, and 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Dec. 13 at Barnes and Noble, Kahala; 732-1709.

FRANK HAINES, editor, will sign copies of "Architecture in Hawai'i," 3 p.m. Dec. 7, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

PIPELINE MASTER GERRY LOPEZ will sign copies of his boook, "Surf is Where You Find It," 5-7 p.m. Dec. 11 at Kahala Sportswear store, Ala Moana Center; 941-2444.

AUDREY WILSON will sign copies of "What the Big Island Likes to Eat," 7 p.m. Dec. 12, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

ARTHUR SUEHIRO will sign copies of "Honolulu Stadium: Where Hawai'i Played," 2 p.m. Dec. 13, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

MARTIN RABBETT will autograph his book, "Forever Buster," 11 a.m. Dec. 7, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana; 947-6470.

TY P. KAWIKA TENGAN, UH-Manoa ethnic studies and anthropology professor, will launch his book, "Native Men Remade: Gender and Nation in Contemporary Hawai'i," 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 11, UH-Manoa, Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services, room 412; free; reservations, 956-7153.

FOR KEIKI

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME, for children ages 3-5 with a parent or caregiver; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 10; Hawai'i Kai Public Library; free; 397-5833.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME, stories read aloud, sing-along songs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3-5 with a parent or caregiver; 10 a.m. Thursdays through Dec. 18; Wai'anae Public Library; free; 697-7868.

Toddler time storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and rhymes, for babies to toddlers up to age 3; 10-10:30 a.m. Mondays; Hawai'i State Library; free; 586-3510.

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3 and older; 10-10:45 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

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

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

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays; Mililani Public Library; free; 627-7470.

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

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

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

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

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2-5; 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kailua Public Library; free; 266-9911.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3-5; 4 p.m. Wednesdays; Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library; free; 733-8488.

SATURDAY STORYTIME, for ages 3 and older, accompanied by a parent or caregiver; 10:30-11 a.m. Saturdays; Hawai'i State Library; free; 586-3510.

Send announcements at least 10 days before event, 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.