Speaking Volumes | The Edible Book Festival: Have your book and eat it too
By Dana Mascari and Danny Bradley
Special to the Herald
If you've ever wanted to have your book and eat it, too, now is your chance! This spring, the Book-Inspired Edible Creations Contest (known worldwide as the Edible Book Festival) will arrive in Manatee County at your public library.
On April 9, kids 12 and under will have a chance to show off their love of books in a creative and delicious way at the Braden River Branch. And on May 14, crafters and bakers (ages 13 and up) will have a chance to display their edible creations at the Central Library.
There are only two rules for the contest: Entries must be edible and they must somehow relate to a book. So preheat your ovens to Fahrenheit 451. Juice your grapes of wrath. Stir in two cups of water for elephants.
Pour better food/literature puns than that in a large bowl and combine thoroughly. Keep turning the idea over in your mind until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, and you might just have what it takes to win this year's contest!
Participants with the most creative edible representation of a book will have a chance to win priz
es, and all attendees will be treated to the whimsical food artwork that celebrates these works of literature. The kids contest this April will feature cupcakes, awards and prizes, and coloring activities!
During the main event in May, literary fare will be judged by local culinary and artistic professionals in the categories of Best Non-Cake Entry, Best Non-Fiction Book, Best Pun, Best Fiction, Best Children's Book and People's Choice (based on votes from the public). Cake will be served and winners will receive golden rolling pin trophies and custom totes filled with baking and crafting aids.
Be sure to stop by your local branch for inspiration from our displays or pick up (and color!) an event bookmark.
Demonstrations and crafts for all ages will be hosted at each library leading up to the contests, so make sure to check the events calendar for dates, times and locations. For more information or to register for the events, visit https://www.mymanatee.org/library. We hope to see you there!
The International Edible Book Festival was the creation of Judith A. Hoffberg, an art librarian who got the idea over a Thanksgiving holiday spent with book artists in 1999. The first event was held in 2000 and has been held annually ever since at libraries all over the world.
The international event is traditionally held in libraries of all types during National Library Week (April 10-16) to promote creativity and to inspire a love of books.
This week is also a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries.
This year's National Library Week theme is "Libraries Transform." Libraries will be encouraging the communities they serve to share personal stories of how the library positively impacts their lives.
Read the library's new literary and art journal, 805, for free at www.805lit.org. Submissions of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and art accepted year-round and worldwide.
You may also access the library via the Internet: www.mymanatee.org/library.
Dana Mascari, and Danny Bradley are librarians at the Central Library.
This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 6:16 PM with the headline "Speaking Volumes | The Edible Book Festival: Have your book and eat it too ."