Young at heart events

David Veart, who wrote Digging Up the Past - Archaeology for the Young and Curious (a finalist in this year's NZ Post Children's Book Awards), will be one of the writers talking in schools, libraries and bookshops around Auckland in the build-up to the awards on Wednesday, May 16.

( href="http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/news/auckland-archaelogist-unearths-social-history/1343299/">Read The Aucklander profile of David Heart here.)

You can hear and see David read on Monday, May 7, 9.30am at Mt Roskill Library; 11.30am at Titirangi Library and 2pm at Ranui Library.

Leonie Agnew's book Super Finn is also a finalist and she will speak on Monday, May 7, 9.30am at Panmure Library, 11.15am at Otahuhu Library and 1.30pm at St Heliers Library.

And children's book illustrator Bruce Potter, who illustrated Maria Gill's book New Zealand Hall of Fame: 50 Remarkable Kiwis will be at Mangere Library on Wednesday, May 9, 9.15am; 11.30am at Papatoetoe Library and 1.30pm at Manukau Library.

There are also festival events for children all over Auckland.

At Te Atatu South Community Centre in West Auckland on Saturday, May 12, from 2-4pm there will be face painting and balloons, Baa Baa Smart Sheep's Mark Sommerset, the Salvation Army Youth Band and more. In Greenlane, there's similar entertainment also on Saturday, May 12, from 1pm-2.30pm at the band rotunda in Cornwall Park.

And from 10.30am-12.30pm at the Auckland Botanic Gardens, Hill Rd, Manurewa, also on Saturday, May 12, there's a Great Kiwi Book Quest Scavenger Hunt.

Info on these events: Pip Henderson, ph 367 1903 or pip.henderson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

WEB nzpostbookawards.co.nz

TOP SOLOISTS COMPETE

The University of Auckland Graduation Gala Concerto Competition is on Saturday. Three virtuosos from the School of Music will compete: 19-year-old Stella Kim (violin), 21-year-old Natasha Port (bassoon) and 19-year-old Nayoung (Jane) Koo (piano).

Each finalist will perform a full concerto or symphony, accompanied by the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra, conducted by School of Music Professor, Uwe Grodd.

WHEN May 5, 7.30pm

WHERE Auckland Town Hall

HOW MUCH Free

WEB www.auckland.ac.nz/gradgala

YOUTH SINGERS IN CONCERT

Auckland Youth Choir's first concert for 2012, My Spirit Sang All Day, features music from Renaissance master Gallus, Romantic favourite Mendelssohn and other pieces. The choir is also performing at Ascension Vineyard in Matakana on May 27.

WHAT Auckland Youth Choir concert

WHEN Saturday, May 19, 6.30pm

WHERE St Matthews in the City

HOW MUCH $20 adult, $15 student/unwaged, $5 child (under 12), $45 family (two adults, two children).

WEB www.ayc.org.nz or email aucklandyouthchoir@gmail.com