SPECIAL EVENTS

Meet the Author, Jeff Langcaon reads from his book "Grandpa's Magic Banyan Tree" and gives a drawing demonstration, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Pearl City Public Library; for ages 3-adult; free. 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, Lee Tonouchi reads "The Legend of the River Street Gambler" and excerpts from "Seven Deadly Local Sins." 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.

"Today's Troubadour," comedy, mime and storytelling by Bobby Norfolk, at various O'ahu and Neighbor Island libraries, beginning Tuesday and running through June 24. Call your local library for possible performance times.

"Imagining Other Lives, Other Times, Other Places," 13th biennial Children's Literature Conference, three-day conference with presentations and discussions on interpreting, using and creating literature, for parents, teachers, writers, illustrators and others interested in children's literature, with guest speakers Karen Hesse and Jerry Pinkney, Thursday-Saturday, UH-Manoa Campus Center; most events free, $20-$25 for some workshops. 956-7559, complete schedule at www.english.hawaii.edu/CLH/2006.

Rainbow Pigeons, Doug Beter gives a lecture about his racing pigeons and demonstration followed by a release of Rainbow pigeons into the sky, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Wahiawa Public Library; for ages 3-adult; free. 622-6345.

Kealoa, a Wordstew poetry slam champion, performs for young adults, 10 a.m. Friday Kahuku Public Library; in conjunction with the Young Adult summer reading program; free. 293-8935. Also, noon Saturday, Hawai'i State Library's Young Adult Section. 586-3490.

Family Game Night, join others playing "Last Word" against the clock, 6 p.m. Friday, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center; free. 949-7307.

Youth Speaks Hawaii Poetry Slam, open mike for poets, ages 13-19, 3:30-5 p.m. Saturday, The ARTS at Marks Garage; slam sign-up at 3 p.m.; free. 521-2903.

BOOK SIGNING

Carmen Geshell signs "Muffin's Makapu'u Adventure," noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Bellows Air Force Station Shopette. 259-4138.

FOR WRITERS

Introduction to Travel Writing, online class with Beverly Richards Schulz, finish the course work between June 19 and July 29; $63 plus textbook. Register for course S08219 (include your e-mail address): www.outreach.hawaii.edu, 956-8400.

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.

Bestseller Reading Group, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Borders, Waikele. 676-6699.

Contemporary Fiction Reading Group, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall. 737-3323.

FOR KEIKI

Summer of Unfortunate Events Kickoff Party, summer reading program begins with creepy snacks, games and a reading from "The Bad Beginning," the first in the series of books by Lemony Snicket, 2 p.m. today, Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center; program will continue at 2 p.m. each Sunday throughout the summer; free. 949-7307.

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).

"Island-Kine Stories," humorous folk stories and poetry followed by participatory games, 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, 'Ewa Beach Public and School Library; for ages 3 and older. 689-1204.

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 accompanied by parent (admission $7 for parent). 532-8700.

Read To a Dog, children can improve their reading skills by reading aloud to a therapy dog from Hawaii Fi Do Services, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, June 14-July 5, Wahiawa Public Library; for children of all ages. 622-6345. Also, 10 a.m. Mondays, June 19-July 10, Kahuku Public and School Library. 293-8935. Registration required at both libraries.

Keiki Story Time, guest librarians read to children ages 6 and under, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, June 14-July 12, Kahuku Public and School Library. 293-8935.

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

Play Mornings, independent playtime, for 2 and over, with educational games, 10 a.m. Thursday, Kapolei Public Library. 693-7050.

Pets Have Feelings, Too!, storytelling, videos and activities to kick off the summer reading program for Waialua Public Library, 10 a.m. Saturday, Waialua Bandstand. 637-8286.

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 Hono-lulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com, with "Lit Beat" in the subject line; or fax 525-8055.