SPECIAL EVENTS

All Books for Children, book drive to collect new and gently used children's books to support local literacy programs, through Thursday, Starbucks Coffee stores on all islands (except Barnes & Noble, airport and University of Hawai'i locations).

Book Sale, paperbacks 25 cents each, plus other items at discounted prices offered by the Friends of Pearl City Library, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. today, Pearl City Library; free admission. 453-6566.

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, Monico Cho Coldwell reads Yokanaan Kearns' "Confessions of a Stupid Haole." 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. This week, Emil Wolfgramm from the 2002 Talk Story Festival, part of the Tongan Epic Cycle. www.talkstoryradio.com.

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

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.

Book and Bake Sale, books, movies and music at reduced prices, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Kaimuki Public Library; free admission, sales benefit the library's audio/visual collection. 733-8425.

BOOK SIGNINGS

Christine Yano signs "Crowning the Nice Girl," noon today, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Jane Porter signs "Flirting with Forty," 2 p.m. today, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Irene J. Taafaki, Maria Kabua Fowler and Randolph R. Thaman, authors of "Traditional Medicine in the Marshall Islands," discuss and sign their book, 3-5 p.m. today, Native Books/Na Mea Hawai'i, Ward Warehouse. 596-8885.

Patrick Ching signs his children's books, "The Story of Hina," "The Tale of Rabbit Island" and "How Fo Surf," 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Gift Shop. 396-4229.

FOR KEIKI

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.

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).

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 under and their parents; free for children, included with admission price of $7 for parents. 532-8700.

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

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.