SPECIAL

"MEET THE AUTHOR," Brandon Wilson discusses his latest book, "Along the Templar Trail: Seven Million Steps for Peace"; 6:30 p.m.; April 8; Kahului Public Library; free; 808-873-3097.

Book Clubs AND Literature Festival, dozens of interactive sessions on a variety of topics, including authors and their works, performance poetry, storytelling, fantasy writing and pidgin short stories, and featuring Mainland authors Graham Salisbury, Jim Lynch and Cynthia Kadohata, plus numerous local writers; 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; April 12; University of Hawai'i-Manoa, Campus Center Ballroom; free; 239-9726, www.hctewebsite.googlepages.com.

CELTIC TALES WITH PATRICK BALL, storyteller and Celtic-harp player; 10:30 a.m. April 12 at Kailua Public Library, 3 p.m. April 12 at Hawai'i Kai Public Library, 10 a.m. April 15 at Waialua Public Library, 6:30 p.m. April 15 at Kahuku Public & School Library, 6:30 p.m. April 17 at 'Aiea Public Library; all free; www.librarieshawaii.org.

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

FOR WRITERS

Aloha Performing Arts Company seeks new, unpublished scripts of any length and subject for its annual Original Play Festival, Aug. 13-17 at Aloha Theatre, Kainaliu, Big Island; postmark by May 23; submission details and more information: 808-322-9924, www.apachawaii.org.

FOR KEIKI

Toddler time storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and rhymes, for children up to age 3; 10-10:30 a.m. Mondays; state library; free; 586-3510.

Keiki storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs, finger plays and a simple craft, for ages 3 and older; 10-10:45 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; Kapolei Public Library; free; 693-7050.

Toddler storytime, books, finger plays, matching games and songs, for ages 2-3; 10 a.m. Tuesdays; McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library; free; 973-1099.

Preschool storytime, stories read aloud, sing-alongs and playtime activities; 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesday; Waipahu Public Library; free; 675-0358.

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

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

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

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

Keiki storytime, stories, songs, sing-alongs and other activities; 10-10:30 a.m. Wednesdays; Kahuku Public & School Library; free; 293-8935.

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

Send announcements 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.