For the 10th year, the University of Cincinnati Libraries will celebrate the International Edible Books Festival with an event scheduled for Thursday, April 5 from 12:30-1:30pm on the 5th floor lobby of Langsam Library.

At the event, over 20 participants will present edible creations that represent a book in some form. There are few restrictions in creating an edible book – namely that the creation be edible and have something to do with a book.

Submitted entries include such edible titles as To the Toll House, Lunch in Paris, and Heart of Darkness among other literary greats.

As in years past, entries will be judged according to such categories as “Most Literary,” “Most Inspired,” “Long Overdue,” and “Most Checked Out.” In addition, the “Top Student Entry” will receive a $25 gift card. After the entries are judged they will be consumed and enjoyed by all in attendance.

According to the International Edible Book Festival Web site, the edible book was initiated by librarian and artist Judith A. Hoffberg during a 1999 Thanksgiving celebration with book artists. It became an international celebration in 2000 when artist Béatrice Coron launched the Books2Eat Web site. Traditionally, the event is celebrated on April 1 to mark the birthday of Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826), a French lawyer and politician who became famous for his book, Physiologie du gout (The Physiology of Taste). You can see samples of the 2010 edible books on the Libraries Facebook page.

The Libraries International Edible Books Festival is free and open to the public.