Once again, the University of Cincinnati Libraries will celebrate the International Edible Books Festival with an event scheduled for Wednesday, April 1st from 1-2 p.m., on the 5th floor lobby of Langsam Library.

At the event, nearly 20 participants will present their 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 edible titles such as Lemons: A Global History. Classic books Fahrenheit 451 and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer are represented along with nonfiction works with Commentaries on the Laws of England and Bulls, Bears and the Ballot Box. Contemporary fiction such as Wild and favorite children’s books Where the Wild Things Are, Green Eggs and Ham and Click, Clack Moo are among other literary greats at the festival.

Life of Pi

As in past years, entries will be judged according to such categories as “Most Literary,” “Most Delicious,” “Most Adorable” and “Most Gruesome.” In addition, the “Top Student Entry” and “Best Overall Entry” will receive a special prize. After the entries are judged they will be consumed and enjoyed by all in attendance.

According to the International Edible Book Festival website, 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 website. Traditionally, the event is celebrated on April 1st (April Fools’ Day) 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 images of the 2014 edible books on the Libraries Facebook page.

The Libraries International Edible Books Festival is free and open to the public. Come to celebrate (and eat) “books good enough to eat.”