Self Publishing Workshop sponsored by Storybook Theatre and the Kauai Chidlren's Authors Guild

On Wednesday, March 26th, 2014 the Kauai Children's Authors Guild and the Storybook Theatre of Hawaii are sponsoring a self publishing workshop that will be held at the Storybook Theatre in Hanapepe from 12p-3p.

This workshop will walk you through the basics of self-publishing. Topics include: Where to start, how to get your files into the right format, the pros and cons of traditional publishing, POD, vanity press, ebooks, book apps, and self-publishing, and book printing, ISBN numbers, working with different genres, and marketing basics. Storybook Theatre, Hanapepe. There is no charge but a donation is recommended. Contact the Kauai Children's Authors Guild or the Storybook Theatre from more information or to register.

Kauai Authors Volunteer to Read to Hundreds of Children on Read Across Kauai Day

North Shore Lions Club issues check to support Literacy

February 28th, 2014 is Read Across Kauai Day. Members of the Kauai Children’s Authors Guild will be hitting the road to promote the importance of literacy by reading to hundreds of children across the Garden Island. The guild members have spent the last few months raising funds for the event and scheduling book readings at various schools across the island. With the help of the following sponsors, guild members will be able to distribute over 400 books to children across Kauai. Thanks goes out to: Plantation Gardens Restaurant, the North Shore Lions Club, the East Kauai Lions Club, Coldwell Banker Makai Properties, J. Lohr Winery, Gerald Nakashima, the KART Foundation, Terry and Helene Kamen, Janice Bond, Mokihana Pest Control and many other individual donors who made this event possible.

The event was modeled after the national event, Read Across America Day, but Kauai is such a special place that guild members designed Read Across Kauai Day to be a little more personal, a little more “Kauai Style”. The event provides an opportunity for children to interact with local authors and establish a personal connection with the books being read to them. The authors will also be able to share their experiences about writing and publishing books in order to inspire children to become writers if that is their dream. The authors also hope to reinforce the importance of reading by encouraging creativity through writing and artistic expression.

One of the most important components of the project is the distribution of an information sheet that will be sent home to parents about the importance of reading aloud to their children. Since Read Across Kauai Day is devoted to literacy, guild members wanted to make sure that this significant information be disseminated to the children’s parents. Why? Because statistics show that nearly 40% of children struggle with learning how to read and reading aloud is one of the most important things parents can do to prepare their children for long-term learning success.

 Authors who are participating in this event include: Susan Dierker, author of Knuckles the Hound of Hanalei who will be reading to over 200 students at Hanalei, Kilauea, and Kanuikapono Elementary Schools, Monika Mira, author of Who Lives in the Sea? Ocean Animals of Hawaii who will be reading at Kalaheo Elementary School and Haloalaunuiakea Early Learning Center, Mark Jeffers, author of Eye of the Lion, the Story of my First Hurricane who will be reading at Kahili Adventist School, Mark Huff, author of The Sheltering Place who will be reading at St. Catherine’s School, Carol Peacock author of Benny the Beetle who will read at Island School, and Wendy Lewis author of Sabrina, the Girl with a Hole in her Heart, who will read at Koloa School.

Best Books to Read to Toddlers

Reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do. There are countless benefits including bonding with your child and spending precious time cuddling. Don't know where to start? The slideshow below includes twenty classic children's books that are perfect for reading aloud to your toddler.

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Dine out for Literacy at Plantation Gardens on February 6th, 2014

Invite your friends to dine out for literacy. A portion of the proceeds from you dinner purchase will go to buy books for preschool and kindergarten students right here on Kauai!

Join us For Read Across Kauai Day, February 28th, 2014

Book Reading, Signing and Reef Fish Ornament Crafts at Kukuiula on Christmas Eve

Monika Mira will be reading and signing copies of Who Lives in the Sea? Ocean Animals of Hawaii on Christmas Eve from 3:30-4:30pm in conjunction with the Kauai Culinary Market. After the book reading a reef fish ornament making session will take place. Children of all ages are invited to come down and make special ornaments that they can take place on their tree.

This special event is hosted by Coldwell Banker Makai Properties and the Shops at Kukuiula.

Free Children's Holiday Reading Series at the Shops at Kukui'ula

Kauai Author, Mark Huff will be reading today at the Children's Holiday Reading Series, sponsored by Coldwell Banker Makai Properties and the Shops at Kukui'ula's. The Children’s Holiday Reading Series will coincide with the Shops at Kukuiʻula’s Kaua’i Culinary Market during the month of December. Starting at 3:30pm during market days, a local Kauai children’s author will read their books as well as their favorite holiday stories. There will be a time before and after the readings for book purchases and signings.


As a reminder, the Kaua'i Culinary Market and the Children's Reading Series will be held on Tuesday, December 24th next week, so both farmers and authors can spend Christmas with their families.

“CB Makai is excited to participate in this holiday season’s festivities at The Shops at Kukuiʻula. The holidays are a time to give and CB Makai has always supported child education and literacy. Our Children’s Holiday Reading Series allows us to give to back to our community and promote the humanitarian work of the Kauai Children’s Authors Guild,” remarked Roberta Charles, Broker-in-Charge at Coldwell Banker Makai Properties, “in exchange for the guild’s participation in our reading series, CB Makai will be making a contribution go towards their upcoming “Read Across Kauai Day.”

Schedule of Events
-  Wednesday, December 11th (3:30-4:45pm): Carol Peacock, author of “Benny the Beetle.”
-  Wednesday, December 18th (3:30-4:45pm): Mark Huff, author of “King of the Beach” and “The
Sheltering Place.”
-    *Tuesday, December 24th (3:30-4:30pm): Monika Mira, author of "Who Lives in the Sea? Ocean Animals of Hawaii" and “The Complete Hawaiian Reef Fish Coloring Book.” A special reef fish ornament decorating activity will follow reading. *Note that due to the XMAS holiday on Wednesday, the Kaua’i Culinary Market will move to Christmas Eve.