Oberlin Edible Book Festival

First Annual Oberlin Edible Book Festival: Gallery

On April 1, 2024, Oberlin Public Library and Oberlin College Libraries held the First Annual Oberlin Edible Book Festival in StudiOC on the Oberlin College campus with a variety of entries referencing a variety of literary works. Attendees had the chance to view the submissions before awards were announced at noon, and a tasting of the entries took place afterward. From sci-fi to fantasy and cakes to cookies, literary and food lovers alike came together to celebrate the start of this annual festival sponsored by the Friends of the Oberlin Public Library and Friends of the Oberlin College Libraries.

Various foods displayed with the books they reference, accompanied by a menu board describing some of the items.
The Inkwell: Daily Specials
Various foods displayed with the books they reference, accompanied by a menu board describing some of the items.
The Inkwell: Daily Specials
Various foods displayed with the books they reference, accompanied by a menu board describing some of the items.
The Inkwell: Daily Specials
Pie with cream, bananas arranged in a circle, and coconut shavings on top.
BanAnna Creamenina
Pie with cream, bananas arranged in a circle, and coconut shavings on top.
BanAnna Creamenina
Pie with cream, bananas arranged in a circle, and coconut shavings on top.
BanAnna Creamenina
Tray with cookies resembling playing cards and a bottle, and an Alice cookie sandwiched between two slices of bread.
Alice in Wonderbread
Tray with cookies resembling playing cards and a bottle, and an Alice cookie sandwiched between two slices of bread.
Alice in Wonderbread
Tray with cookies resembling playing cards and a bottle, and an Alice cookie sandwiched between two slices of bread.
Alice in Wonderbread
Pink frosted cake with strawberries and a paper illustrated cat head poking out of the top, accompanied by a page of the piece it's referencing.
Wonder Cat Kyuu-chan 6
Pink frosted cake with strawberries and a paper illustrated cat head poking out of the top, accompanied by a page of the piece it's referencing.
Wonder Cat Kyuu-chan 6
Pink frosted cake with strawberries and a paper illustrated cat head poking out of the top, accompanied by a page of the piece it's referencing.
Wonder Cat Kyuu-chan 6
Cheese and crackers with an info sheet explaining its reference.
The Stolen Cheese!
Cheese and crackers with an info sheet explaining its reference.
The Stolen Cheese!
Cheese and crackers with an info sheet explaining its reference.
The Stolen Cheese!
Various foods with their book references, all written by Sondheim, with info sheet.
A Sondheim Smorgasbord
Various foods with their book references, all written by Sondheim, with info sheet.
A Sondheim Smorgasbord
Various foods with their book references, all written by Sondheim, with info sheet.
A Sondheim Smorgasbord
Depiction of two stick figures nearing the end of a sidewalk using graham crackers, brownies, and melted peppermint.
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Depiction of two stick figures nearing the end of a sidewalk using graham crackers, brownies, and melted peppermint.
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Depiction of two stick figures nearing the end of a sidewalk using graham crackers, brownies, and melted peppermint.
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Various foods depicting head with nose in open book, with actual photograph of a person featured.
Self-Portrait as Egghead with Nose in Book
Various foods depicting head with nose in open book, with actual photograph of a person featured.
Self-Portrait as Egghead with Nose in Book
Various foods depicting head with nose in open book, with actual photograph of a person featured.
Self-Portrait as Egghead with Nose in Book
Plate with a pile of blue cookies with a blue candy in the middle of each.
Blue Percy Jackson Cookies
Plate with a pile of blue cookies with a blue candy in the middle of each.
Blue Percy Jackson Cookies
Plate with a pile of blue cookies with a blue candy in the middle of each.
Blue Percy Jackson Cookies
Plate of tan cookies with leaf of thyme.
In Search of Lost Thyme
Plate of tan cookies with leaf of thyme.
In Search of Lost Thyme
Plate of tan cookies with leaf of thyme.
In Search of Lost Thyme
Replica of reference book cover with brownie base and frosting, candy, and pretzels for details.
It’s a Book
Replica of reference book cover with brownie base and frosting, candy, and pretzels for details.
It’s a Book
Replica of reference book cover with brownie base and frosting, candy, and pretzels for details.
It’s a Book
Plate of eggs dyed green and ham cut into small cubes.
Green Eggs and Ham
Plate of eggs dyed green and ham cut into small cubes.
Green Eggs and Ham
Plate of eggs dyed green and ham cut into small cubes.
Green Eggs and Ham
Various decorated cookies depicting different references to the book.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Various decorated cookies depicting different references to the book.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Various decorated cookies depicting different references to the book.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Light brown circular cake with yellow and brown details to depict sandworm from book.
Shai-Hulud (Dune)
Light brown circular cake with yellow and brown details to depict sandworm from book.
Shai-Hulud (Dune)
Light brown circular cake with yellow and brown details to depict sandworm from book.
Shai-Hulud (Dune)
Various cookbook printouts with plates of cookies and pastries.
Literary Children Cookbooks
Various cookbook printouts with plates of cookies and pastries.
Literary Children Cookbooks
Various cookbook printouts with plates of cookies and pastries.
Literary Children Cookbooks
Rectangular dessert decorated like a book cover, with mountains, plains, and a sun, as well as text of the title and author.
The Hobbit
Rectangular dessert decorated like a book cover, with mountains, plains, and a sun, as well as text of the title and author.
The Hobbit
Rectangular dessert decorated like a book cover, with mountains, plains, and a sun, as well as text of the title and author.
The Hobbit
Doll set upside down in green fondant on a cake, covered with fondant vines and flowers.
The Vegetarian
Doll set upside down in green fondant on a cake, covered with fondant vines and flowers.
The Vegetarian
Doll set upside down in green fondant on a cake, covered with fondant vines and flowers.
The Vegetarian
Rectangular dessert decorated like a book cover with Emma and JA written in yellow frosting on pink frosting background.
Emma
Rectangular dessert decorated like a book cover with Emma and JA written in yellow frosting on pink frosting background.
Emma
Rectangular dessert decorated like a book cover with Emma and JA written in yellow frosting on pink frosting background.
Emma
Circular cake with white frosting on edges and intricate pattern of yellow, green, and blue on top.
Cake in the Hat
Circular cake with white frosting on edges and intricate pattern of yellow, green, and blue on top.
Cake in the Hat
Circular cake with white frosting on edges and intricate pattern of yellow, green, and blue on top.
Cake in the Hat
Book covers and Oberlin Edible Book Festival logos on candies sticking out of cookies, close-up.
Book covers and Oberlin Edible Book Festival logos on candies sticking out of cookies, close-up.
Book covers and Oberlin Edible Book Festival logos on candies sticking out of cookies, close-up.
Printout of cover of book on top of rectangular dessert base.
Blondie: The Bumstead Family History
Printout of cover of book on top of rectangular dessert base.
Blondie: The Bumstead Family History
Printout of cover of book on top of rectangular dessert base.
Blondie: The Bumstead Family History
When the Chocolate Runs Out book with Hershey Kisses scattered across it.
When the Chocolate Runs Out
When the Chocolate Runs Out book with Hershey Kisses scattered across it.
When the Chocolate Runs Out
When the Chocolate Runs Out book with Hershey Kisses scattered across it.
When the Chocolate Runs Out
Entries on display along a long table covered with a white tablecloth.
Entries on display along a long table covered with a white tablecloth.
Entries on display along a long table covered with a white tablecloth.
The Inkwell Daily Specials menu board, close-up.
The Inkwell Daily Specials menu board, close-up.
The Inkwell Daily Specials menu board, close-up.
Book covers and Oberlin Edible Book Festival logos on candies sticking out of half-black half-white frosted cookies.
Book covers and Oberlin Edible Book Festival logos on candies sticking out of half-black half-white frosted cookies.
Book covers and Oberlin Edible Book Festival logos on candies sticking out of half-black half-white frosted cookies.
Two attendees looking at The Inkwell Daily Specials display.
Two attendees looking at The Inkwell Daily Specials display.
Two attendees looking at The Inkwell Daily Specials display.
Various displays along a table with an attendee looking at them.
Various displays along a table with an attendee looking at them.
Various displays along a table with an attendee looking at them.
Attendee admiring Percy Jackson cookies with hands over heart.
Attendee admiring Percy Jackson cookies with hands over heart.
Attendee admiring Percy Jackson cookies with hands over heart.
Whiteboard labelling room behind it as the Judges' Room.
Whiteboard labelling room behind it as the Judges' Room.
Whiteboard labelling room behind it as the Judges' Room.
Attendees seated, viewing phones.
Attendees seated, viewing phones.
Attendees seated, viewing phones.
Empty festival room with person preparing at podium.
Empty festival room with person preparing at podium.
Empty festival room with person preparing at podium.
Two attendees seated and talking.
Two attendees seated and talking.
Two attendees seated and talking.
Group of attendees talking, most sitting down while one is standing.
Group of attendees talking, most sitting down while one is standing.
Group of attendees talking, most sitting down while one is standing.
Attendees in conversation, wandering the festival, or working on a laptop.
Attendees in conversation, wandering the festival, or working on a laptop.
Attendees in conversation, wandering the festival, or working on a laptop.
Attendees gathered by a table, photo taken from behind so the table isn't visible.
Attendees gathered by a table, photo taken from behind so the table isn't visible.
Attendees gathered by a table, photo taken from behind so the table isn't visible.
Crowd of attendees viewing the festival, a white table for seating in the foreground.
Crowd of attendees viewing the festival, a white table for seating in the foreground.
Crowd of attendees viewing the festival, a white table for seating in the foreground.
Group of attendees entering a room for the festival, a view of the room visible through a glass panel wall.
Group of attendees entering a room for the festival, a view of the room visible through a glass panel wall.
Group of attendees entering a room for the festival, a view of the room visible through a glass panel wall.
Three attendees gathered in discussion.
Three attendees gathered in discussion.
Three attendees gathered in discussion.
Whiteboard with various names signed to display attendance at festival.
Whiteboard with various names signed to display attendance at festival.
Whiteboard with various names signed to display attendance at festival.
Attendee and two children standing at whiteboard while the attendee signs it.
Attendee and two children standing at whiteboard while the attendee signs it.
Attendee and two children standing at whiteboard while the attendee signs it.
Various attendees seated for presentation.
Various attendees seated for presentation.
Various attendees seated for presentation.
Two attendees smiling at something out of frame.
Two attendees smiling at something out of frame.
Two attendees smiling at something out of frame.
Two attendees walking in separate directions, viewing entry displays.
Two attendees walking in separate directions, viewing entry displays.
Two attendees walking in separate directions, viewing entry displays.
View through window of various attendees seated and having conversations.
View through window of various attendees seated and having conversations.
View through window of various attendees seated and having conversations.
Two attendees wandering the festival and viewing entry displays.
Two attendees wandering the festival and viewing entry displays.
Two attendees wandering the festival and viewing entry displays.
Three attendees gathered around table while one shows something on a phone, other attendees viewing entries behind.
Three attendees gathered around table while one shows something on a phone, other attendees viewing entries behind.
Three attendees gathered around table while one shows something on a phone, other attendees viewing entries behind.
Attendees gathered in conversations, standing around table seating area.
Attendees gathered in conversations, standing around table seating area.
Attendees gathered in conversations, standing around table seating area.
Attendees at a table talking, gathered in a group standing off to the side, and viewing entries on display.
Attendees at a table talking, gathered in a group standing off to the side, and viewing entries on display.
Attendees at a table talking, gathered in a group standing off to the side, and viewing entries on display.
Various attendees seated and talking.
Various attendees seated and talking.
Various attendees seated and talking.
Various attendees seated and talking.
Various attendees seated and talking.
Various attendees seated and talking.
Various attendees seated and talking.
Various attendees seated and talking.
Various attendees seated and talking.
Attendees viewing the festival, a white table for seating in the foreground.
Attendees viewing the festival, a white table for seating in the foreground.
Attendees viewing the festival, a white table for seating in the foreground.
Attendees wandering festival or having conversations.
Attendees wandering festival or having conversations.
Attendees wandering festival or having conversations.
Two attendees holding pieces of paper and viewing them.
Two attendees holding pieces of paper and viewing them.
Two attendees holding pieces of paper and viewing them.
Two attendees posing for photo together.
Two attendees posing for photo together.
Two attendees posing for photo together.
Attendees viewing entry displays or gathered in conversation.
Attendees viewing entry displays or gathered in conversation.
Attendees viewing entry displays or gathered in conversation.
Attendees talking at festival.
Attendees talking at festival.
Attendees talking at festival.
Attendee smiling while walking around the festival.
Attendee smiling while walking around the festival.
Attendee smiling while walking around the festival.
Attendees viewing The Very Hungry Caterpillar entry display, photo taken from behind so only half of the display is visible.
Attendees viewing The Very Hungry Caterpillar entry display, photo taken from behind so only half of the display is visible.
Attendees viewing The Very Hungry Caterpillar entry display, photo taken from behind so only half of the display is visible.
Attendees viewing various entry displays.
Attendees viewing various entry displays.
Attendees viewing various entry displays.
Attendee viewing The Stolen Cheese entry display.
Attendee viewing The Stolen Cheese entry display.
Attendee viewing The Stolen Cheese entry display.
Attendee holding piece of paper and viewing an entry display that is out of frame.
Attendee holding piece of paper and viewing an entry display that is out of frame.
Attendee holding piece of paper and viewing an entry display that is out of frame.
Attendees viewing displays along a table.
Attendees viewing displays along a table.
Attendees viewing displays along a table.
Two attendees viewing The Vegetarian display, photo taken from behind between them.
Two attendees viewing The Vegetarian display, photo taken from behind between them.
Two attendees viewing The Vegetarian display, photo taken from behind between them.
Two attendees speaking in foreground while other attendees wander and view festival entries in the background.
Two attendees speaking in foreground while other attendees wander and view festival entries in the background.
Two attendees speaking in foreground while other attendees wander and view festival entries in the background.
Two attendees viewing The Stolen Cheese entry exhibit.
Two attendees viewing The Stolen Cheese entry exhibit.
Two attendees viewing The Stolen Cheese entry exhibit.
Three attendees viewing the Sondheim Smorgasbord entry display.
Three attendees viewing the Sondheim Smorgasbord entry display.
Three attendees viewing the Sondheim Smorgasbord entry display.
Attendee adjusting Alice in Wonderbread entry cookies.
Attendee adjusting Alice in Wonderbread entry cookies.
Attendee adjusting Alice in Wonderbread entry cookies.
Attendees smiling while viewing various entry displays.
Attendees smiling while viewing various entry displays.
Attendees smiling while viewing various entry displays.
Attendees conversing and viewing displays of festival entries.
Attendees conversing and viewing displays of festival entries.
Attendees conversing and viewing displays of festival entries.
Three attendees at a table with info cards and other supplies.
Three attendees at a table with info cards and other supplies.
Three attendees at a table with info cards and other supplies.
Two attendees speaking while standing in front of The Inkwell Daily Specials display.
Two attendees speaking while standing in front of The Inkwell Daily Specials display.
Two attendees speaking while standing in front of The Inkwell Daily Specials display.
Attendee holding phone over a display as if taking a picture.
Attendee holding phone over a display as if taking a picture.
Attendee holding phone over a display as if taking a picture.
Attendee viewing BanAnna Creamenina entry display.
Attendee viewing BanAnna Creamenina entry display.
Attendee viewing BanAnna Creamenina entry display.
Attendee leaning to get a better view of the Emma display entry.
Attendee leaning to get a better view of the Emma display entry.
Attendee leaning to get a better view of the Emma display entry.

Photo Credit: Sayanth Shajith