SPECIAL EVENTS

"Harvest and the Moon," 7th annual Mary Kawena Pukui Performing Arts Festiva, with native storytellers from Alaska, Massachusetts and Hawai'i celebrating their cultures through sharing stories and dance, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today, Bishop Museum's Great Lawn; $3 (free for museum members and children under 3). 847-3511, www.bishopmuseum.org.

Booksale, hardcover nonfiction for 75 cents each and other items at low prices, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Pearl City Public Library; sponsored by the Friends of Pearl City Library; free. 453-6566.

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

"Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library," informational workshop for parents and child caregivers of newborns to 2-year-olds on early literacy, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, 'Ewa Beach Public & School Library, Campbell High School campus; free. Registration requested: 689-1204.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Rich Budnick signs "Hawaiian Street Names," 2-3 p.m. today, Borders, Pearlridge (487-1818) and noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre (591-8995).

Minako Ishii signs "Girls' Day/Boys' Day," 1-2 p.m. today, Don Quijote, Kaheka St., 973-4800. Also, noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Pearlridge (487-1818) and 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Ward Centre (591-8995).

Gail Omoto and Jan Dill distribute and sign copies of their book, "Kai the 'Opihi Gets the Point," to students in the Tutu and Me program, 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the following locations: Tuesday, Wai'anae District Park; Wednesday, Papakolea Community Center; Thursday, Key Project, Kahalu'u. 524-7633, www.pidfoundation.org.

Veronica Carmona and Larry Winnik sign their photography book "Hanauma Bay: Hawai'i's Coastal Treasure" 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Gift Shop. 396-4229.

Tokie Ching signs "Girl's Day in Hawai'i with Yuki-chan," 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885.

Terry Fritts signs "Taka," 2 p.m. Saturday, Borders, Kona, Big Island. (808) 331-1668.

FOR WRITERS

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Hawai'i chapter, holds its annual conference, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. March 3, Ala Moana hotel; $85 for SCBWI members, $95 for nonmembers. Deadline for registration is Friday. 728-8109, www.geocities.com/scbwihawaii/events.html.

"Writing for Power, Heart & Vision," ninth annual weekend writers' retreat with Tom Peek. Improve the emotion, depth and potency of your work through writing exercises, friendly critique and group discussions, 5 p.m. Friday through 3 p.m. Feb. 25, Volcano Art Center, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Big Island; $225 includes six meals, $355 for retreat, meals and two nights in private room with shared bath. Register: (808) 967-8222, www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Writing Retreat, meet other authors and share non-critical responses to work drafted during the class, led by Lillian Cunningham, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Windward Community College Hale Na'auao 146; $5, bring writing materials and a sack lunch. Register: 235-7433.

Aloha Performing Arts Company seeks scripts of any length and on any subject for the Aug. 15-18 Original Play Festival. Plays chosen for the festival will be mounted as staged readings, with minimal rehearsal and simple technical presentation. Submit three copies of typewritten plays without author name (include a sperate cover sheet with author's name and contact information) to: APAC OPF XIV, P.O. Box 794, Kealakekua, HI 96750. Additional requirements: (808) 322-9924. Postmark deadline is May 21.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler Storytime, stories, fingerplays, song for ages 2-3, 10 a.m. Mondays, through April 23, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Tiny Tales for Tiny Tots, stories, fingerplays, songs and a craft to take home, for 4 and younger, 9-9:45 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Kalihi-Palama Public Library. 832-3466.

Pre-School Storytime, read-aloud stories, sing-along songs and playtime activities for ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays through April 17, Waipahu Public Library's C.O. Andy Anderson Room. 675-0358.

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 (737-3323); and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana (949-7307).

Preschool Craft & Storytime, 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 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.

Preschool Storytime, read-aloud stories, sing-along songs and playtime activities for ages 3-5, 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays through May 23, Pearl City Public Library. 453-6566.

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

Pre-School Storytime, read aloud stories, sing-along songs and a simple craft for children, 3-5 years, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through April 25, Wahiawa Public Library. 622-6345.

Preschool Storytime, 10 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through April 28, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Storytime and Activities, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and a craft, 10 a.m. Saturdays through May 26, Waialua Public Library; free. 637-8286.

Saturday Storytime, 11 a.m. Saturday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala (737-3323) and Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana (949-7307).

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.