SPECIAL EVENTS

Hawai'i Book & Music Festival, performances, presentations, demonstrations, book and CD signings and other events by local, national and international authors, poets, storytellers, songwriters and musicians, 10 a.m.6 p.m. today, Honolulu Hale grounds; free. www.hawaiibookandmusicfesti val.org or 832-7878.

Bookfair Fundraiser, purchase a book or other item between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. today at Barnes & Noble in Kahala Mall and request that a portion of the purchase price be donated to Kaimuki High School's Project Grad. You may select an item for yourself or make a purchase for the school from a posted list. Mention the bookfair and ask for a voucher at time of purchase. 737-3323, 232-6579.

Book Sale, pocketbooks, children's books and hardcovers, plus record albums and videotapes at discounted prices, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Pearl City Library; free admission. 453-6566.

Poetry Month, grade-school children may write their own poem on the illustrated handout available today through Thursday and enter it in a contest in the Children's Section of Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. Awards ceremony and reading of winning poems by Sue Cowing, 6 p.m. Friday at that store. 949-7307.

Fingers 'n Tongues, two evenings of improv storytelling by Kathy "Tita" Collins, James McCarthy, Sandra MacLees, Lopaka Kapanui, Jeff Gere or Makia Malo, and piano accompaniment by Les Adams, 7 p.m. today and tomorrow, rRed Elephant; $15. www.honoluluboxoffice.com, 550-8457.

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. This week, excerpts from the second Bamboo Ridge Editors Choice Award winners' show with Wendy Burbridge reading "The Finder," and Emelihter Kihleng reading "The Mircronesian Question." www.hawaiipublicradio.org /alohashorts.htm.

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. www.talkstoryradio.com.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth stages an interactive play, "Tales of Old Hawai'i," for children at Big Island libraries, Tuesday through Friday this week and June 5-8. Call your local Big Island library for dates and times.

Re: verses, spoken-word artists Travis Thompson, Allison Francis and Selah present poems with an open-mike time and jazz by DJ Mr. Nick, 8-10 p.m. Tuesday, The ARTS at Marks Garage; $5. 521-2903.

"Let's Talk About Karen Hesse," discussion of Hesse's Newbery Award-winning book, "Out of the Dust," 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Liliha Public Library; free. 587-7577.

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. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free. 387-9664.

3rd annual Read & Write Awards Gala, honoring students and volunteers in the Hawaii Literacy program with dinner and a ceremony, 5:30-10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Hawaii Prince hotel; $125, benefits Hawaii Literacy. Reservations: 537-6706.

"Ku'ula, the God of Fishing," Leilehua Omphroy and 'Ano Lani 'Ano Honua present this legend in English and Hawaiian through the use of puppets and hula ki'i (marionettes), 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mililani Public Library; free. 627-7470.

"William Blake: Stranger from Paradise," talk by author Harriet Gay, noon-1:15 p.m. Thursday, UH-Manoa's Center for Korean Studies audiorium; free; part of the Brown Bag Biography series. 956-3774.

"Tales of Old Hawai'i," Honolulu Theatre for Youth presents storytelling and drama for toddlers and young children, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays through May 13, Tenney Theatre at St. Andrew's Cathedral; $16 adults, $8 ages 3-18 and seniors, children under 2 admitted free. 839-9885.

6th annual Writer's Conference for Teens, high school students may attend writing workshops and hear talks by poet S.W. Merwin, novelist Lois-Ann Yamanaka and playwright Wayne Moniz, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Baldwin High School, Wailuku, Maui; free. Contact your high school's English department or call (808) 984-3435.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Gabriela Taylor reads from and signs "Geckos & Other Guests," 2 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Sue Cowing signs her children's poetry book "My Dog Has Flies," 10 a.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323. Also, noon Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Jim Little signs "Growing Plumeria in Hawai'i," noon Saturday, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885.

Rich Budnick signs "Hawai'i's Forgotten History," 1 p.m. Saturday, Sam's Club, Ke'eaumoku. 945-9841.

Rian McMullin signs "Taking Out Your Mental Trash," 2 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre. 591-8995.

Tricia Allen signs "Tattoo Traditions of Hawai'i, 4 p.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

FOR WRITERS

Pitch the Publisher, writers may arrange for a 15-minute opportunity to discuss their publishing projects with Hawai'i book publishers, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. today, Honolulu Hale grounds; free, sponsored by Hawaii Book Publishers Association. 732-1709.

Aloha Performing Arts Company (Big Island) requests scripts for the Aug. 16-20 Original Play Festival. Selected plays will be mounted as stage readings with minimal rehearsal and simple technical presentation. For complete requirements: (808) 322-9924. Postmark deadline is May 27.

READING GROUPS

African American Literary Reading Group, 6:15-8:30 p.m. tomorrow, 1331 Kapi'olani Blvd., room 610. Call for book title: 597-1341.

Contemporary Fiction Reading Group discusses Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Namesake," 7 p.m. Wednesday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

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 keiki 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).

Preschool Storytime, for ages 2 1/2 and older, 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Pearl City Public Library. 453-6566.

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.

Puzzletimes, stories and board puzzles for toddlers, 9:30 a.m. Thursdays, Pearl City Public Library. 453-6566.

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 Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323

Saturday Morning Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturdays, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center. 949-7307.

Send announcements, with contact name and phone number, to Lit Beat, Island Life, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.