SPECIAL EVENTS

"Puppet Times With Christy Lipps," puppeteer Christy Lipps brings children's Christmas stories to life, for children 3 and older; 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Kapolei Public Library, 693-7050, and 11 a.m. Dec. 19 at Kailua Public Library, 266-9911; both free.

"A Winter Holiday Family Storytime," Christmas stories and poems read aloud plus other activities, for all ages; 5:30 p.m.; Dec. 19; Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library; free; 831-6831.

"Christmas Magic With the Traveling Storytellers," hear local versions of classic Christmas stories, for all ages; 10:30 a.m.; Dec. 22; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Marine-life artist Wyland will sign his books, 1-2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Pictures Plus, Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange, and 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Dec. 21 at Pages & Pages, Honolulu International Airport; 734-7159.

Kaui Philpotts will sign "Party Hawai'i," 7-8 p.m. Dec. 19 at Red Bamboo, Kailua; 263-3174.

Sarah Siu will sign "Run to You: A Guide Through Miscarriage," 12:30-1:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Bestsellers, Bishop Square; 528-2378.

Various authors will read from and sign their books, 7 p.m. daily through Dec. 23 at Hilton Hawaiian Village Ohana Library and Reading Room; 945-0550.

FOR WRITERS

The Hawai'i Literary Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2007 Elliot Cades Awards for Literature, which recognize an established writer with a substantial body of work and an emerging writer who shows great promise; deadline Jan. 15; nominations must include a letter summarizing writer's achievements and samples of the writer's work; send to Hawai'i Literary Arts Council, P.O. Box 11213, Honolulu, HI 96828.

Stanford University Libraries and the William Saroyan Foundation are accepting nominations for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, which recognizes newly-published works of fiction and nonfiction; deadline Jan. 31; http://library.stanford.edu/saroyan.

FOR KEIKI

O'ahu Family and Community Education Essay and Artwork Contest for fourth-graders; through Jan. 31; 455-2740.

Keiki storytime, 45-minute storytimes followed by simple craft for ages 3 and older; 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

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

Preschool craft & storytime; 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays; Barnes & Noble, Kahala; free; 737-3323.

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

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

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, finger plays and occasional crafts for ages 2 to 5; 11-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kailua Public Library; free; 266-9911.

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.

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

Children's storytime; 3 p.m.; third Thursday of the month through May 2008; Kalihi-Palama Public Library; free; 832-3466.

Children's storytime, stories read aloud and simple crafts; 10 a.m. Saturdays; Waialua Public Library; free; 637-8286.

Send announcements, 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.

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.