SPECIAL

HONOLULU SYMPHONY "MEET THE MUSICIANS" series, featuring orchestra musicians (this week, Jonathan Parrish, French horn) with previews/discussion of the upcoming concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 1, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

FOURTH ANNUAL HOLIDAY MUSIC FESTIVAL," featuring the Brigham Young University-Hawai'i Music Club and Orchestral Ensemble, Mrs. Macy's Children's Choir, Kahuku High School Music Learning Center's "Vocal Motion" and school band, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Kahuku Public and School Library, main reading room; free; 293-8935

FAMILY READING NIGHT, with readings and presentations from several local children's book authors and illustrators — including school art teacher, Kristi Petosa-Sigel — 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2, Lanikai Elementary School library; 266-7844, www.edutunes.com.

HAWAII LITERACY ORIENTATION for volunteers who want to learn to teach adults to read, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 4, Hawai'i State Library; free. registration, 537-6706; information: www.hawaiiliteracy.org.

"ONE RIGHT TURN," performs and autographs their CD, "Lean on My Shoulder," 8 p.m. Dec. 5, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

"BAMBOO RIDGE: NOT PAU YET!," 30th anniversary celebration, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6, Hale Koa Hotel, Banyan Tree Showroom, $50 (partly, tax-deductible); tickets (none at door), 626-1481, www.bambooridge.com.

EDUCATOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT, for pre-kindergarten-to-12th grade educators, with James Rumford signing his book, "Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey," (1 p.m.) and information about special offers for educators, Barnes & Noble's services and programs for educators, institutional purchasing discounts, bookfair fundraisers, school tours, in-store specials, and shopping discounts, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 6, Barnes & Noble, Kahala; 737-3323.

JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER OF HAWAI'I BOOK FAIR, with book sales and signings by a variety of local authors, including former Gov. and first lady George and Jean Ariyoshi, and John Clark, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i; free admission; 945-7633; www.jcch.com.

"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. 6 and 20, Kailua Public Library; registration, 266-9911.

"CHRISTMAS WITH KIKAIDA," with appearances by Japanese superheros Kikaida, Inazuman, Sanagiman and Hakaida, and autographs by Kikaida actor, Ban Daisuke, 1-2 p.m. Dec. 6, Borders Books, Windward Mall; free; 235-8789, www.generationkikaida.com.

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.

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

JOCELYN FUJII will sign copies of her book, "Pono, The Dog That Dreams" — with reading by Bradley Shields — 11 a.m. Nov. 30, Borders Books, Kane'ohe; free; 222-1171. .

KOOHAN PAIK and JERRY MANDER will read from "The Superferry Chronicles," 4 p.m. Dec. 2, Borders Books, Maui Marketplace, Kahului; 808-875-7995, www.koabooks.com.

LEONORA CHING will sign copies of "Pickle Passion Cook Book" 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Bestsellers Books & Music, Bishop Square; free; 528-2378.

BOB SIGAL will sign copies of "The Companies We Keep, I and II," 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 4, Bestsellers Books & Music, Bishop Square; free; 528-2378.

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," 6:30-8:30 Dec. 5, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse, and 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 11, UH-Manoa, Queen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services, room 412; free; reservations, 956-7153.

LAIRD HAMILTON, professional surfer, will sign copies of his book, "Force of Nature," 12 p.m. Dec. 5, Borders Books, Waikele; free; 676-6699.

READING AND BOOK LAUNCH for Brandy Nalani McDougall's poetry book, "The Salt-Wind, Ka Makani Pa'akai," with other poet readings, including from Haunani-Kay Trask, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 6, UH-Manoa, Art Auditorium; free; 956-3031

MARTIN RABBETT will autograph his book, "Forever Buster," with 12 p.m., Dec. 6, Borders Books, Ward Centre, and 3 p.m. Dec. 6, Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange; 591-8995.

RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN will autograph his book, "Shattered Loved," 12 p.m., Dec. 6, Borders Books, Ward Centre; and 3 p.m. Dec. 6, Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange; 591-8995.

MacKINNON SIMPSON will autograph "USS Arizona: Warship, Tomb, Monument and Hawai'i Homefront: Life in the Islands During WWII," 2 p.m. Dec. 6, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

GEORGE F. SCHNACK will autograph "Snafu," 3 p.m. Dec. 6, Borders Books, Ward Centre; 591-8995.

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.