SPECIAL

READ TO ME, Manoa award-winning children's book author/artist James Rumford is a featured speaker at this week's Read to Me conference. The June 18-19 event celebrates the importance of reading aloud to children, and it's geared toward early-childhood educators, elementary teachers, librarians, parents and caregivers. Rumford's most recent picture books are "Silent Music" and "Chee-Lin: A Giraffe's Journey." Rumford will be joined by children's book author/illustrator and television producer Dan Yaccarino. Yaccarino's newest picture books are "The Fantastic Undersea Life Of Jacques Cousteau," and "Go, Go America."

Books by Rumford and Yaccarino will be sold during the event, and the authors will be available for book signing. June 18-19, Hawai'i Convention Center, 955-7600, www.ReadToMeIntl.org.

PET A BUNNY, featuring gentle dwarf and giant rabbits from Zac's Rabbitry; 1 p.m. Tuesday; Waipahu Public Library; ages 3 and older; free. 675-0358.

ELLEN HOPKINS, award-winning young adult author of 20 nonfiction titles and five New York Times best-selling novels-in-verse, will be the featured speaker; 11:30 a.m. Friday; Hawai'i State Library; free. 586-3490.

2009-2010 ESSAY CONTEST, to learn and write about the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad, sponsored by the Aloha Chapter, National Society for the Daughters of the American Revolution. Entries accepted through Jan. 2010; for grades 5-8; for more information, e-mail DAR.AmHistory@yahoo.com.

2009-2010 CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS ESSAY CONTEST, giving Grades 9-12 a chance to win $1,200 and paid lodging and transportation to Washington, D.C. in Oct. 2010 to read your prize-winning essay on Columbus Day (Oct. 10, 2010), sponsored by the Aloha Chapter, National Society for the Daughters of the American Revolution. Entries accepted through Jan. 2010; for more information: email DAR.AmHistory@yahoo.com.

ONGOING

BILL'S BOOKMOBILE, a library fundraising project, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. first Saturday monthly, 690 Pohukaina St., Kaka'ako; 536-4174.

Youth Speaks Hawaii, slam poetry workshops,4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, The ARTS at Marks Garage; free. 387-9664.

FOR KEIKI

"IT'S BOOK TIME WITH RONALD McDONALD," performance blending music, magic and games to reinforce the idea that reading is fun; 10:30 a.m. Monday; Kapolei Public Library; also, 6 p.m. Wednesday; Kane'ohe Public Library and 10:30 a.m. Friday; 'Ewa Beach Public & School Library; all ages; free. 693-7050 (Kapolei), 233-5676 (Kane'ohe) and 689-1204 ('Ewa Beach).

CHILDREN'S STORYTIME, 10:30 a.m. Sundays through Aug. 16, Kaimuki Public Library, Children's Room; free. 733-8422.

PAJAMA MONDAY, a bedtime story, song and simple crafts, 6-7 p.m. Mondays through July 6, Kalihi-Palama Public Library; free. 832-3466.

Keiki storytime, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays, Borders, Waikele; free. 676-6699. Also, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Borders, Ward Centre; free. 591-8995.

TINY TALES FOR TINY TOTS, 9-9:45 and 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays through July 18, Kalihi-Palama Public Library, for ages 4 and under with a parent or a caregiver; free. 832-3466.

Read Me a Story, for children 12 and under and their parents, 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, Honolulu Academy of Arts; children included with parent's $7 admission. 532-8700.

AROUND THE WORLD WEDNESDAYS, explore the continents through stories and crafts, limited to 15 students in kindergarten through third grade, 3:30-4:40 p.m. Wednesdays through July 22, Kalihi-Palama Public Library; free. 832-3466.

KEIKI STORYTIME, for ages 3 and older, 9:30-10 a.m. Wednesdays, through July 15, Pearl City Public Library; free. 453-6566.

Preschool storytimE, for ages 3-5, 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library; free. 733-8488.

SUMMER 2009 STORYTIME, for children 3 and older (accompanied by parent/caregiver), 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, through June 25, Waipahu Public Library; free. 675-0358.

KEIKI PUZZLETIME, for ages 1 1/2-3, accompanied by a parent or caregiver, 9:30-10 a.m. Thursdays, through July 16, Pearl City Public Library; free. 453-6566.

Keiki storytime, for ages 3 and older, 10-10:45 a.m. Thursdays and Saturdays through Aug. 30, Kapolei Public Library; free. 693-7050.