On April 1, 2026, Oberlin Public Library and Oberlin College Libraries held the second annual Oberlin Edible Book Festival in Root Room of the Carnegie Building on the Oberlin College campus. Winners and pictures from the festival are below.
2026 Winners:
With such a wide assortment of literary traditions and foods represented, multiple category winners were recognized for their creativity.
- Best Depiction of a Classic: Karen Reynolds for The Whale Won!, inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby Dick
- Inspired by a Children’s Book (tie): Julie Weir for Purple Crayon, inspired by Crocket Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon, AND Monica Olszens for The Lorax by Dr. Seuss‘ The Lorax
- Best Visual Presentation: Annie Kincade for All “Treacles” Great and Small, inspired by James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small
- Best by Someone Under 18: Colby and Schmidt for Gulab Jamun Cake, inspired by Rajani LaRocca’s Midsummer’s Mayhem
- Funniest/Punniest: Clara Medwid for Frank-in-stein, inspired by Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
- Best Collaborative Creation: Asha Agarwal, Amelia Friess, and Reyah for Withering Bites, inspired by Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights
- Judge’s Choice AND People’s Choice: Monica Olszens for The Lorax by Dr. Seuss‘ The Lorax
- Library Directors’ Choice: Victor Melfi for Art of the Meal, inspired by Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal
2026 Judges:
Abbie Foster, Haven Brewing; Lily Gonzalez (OC ’26), Oberlin College Student Senate; Eboni Johnson (OC ’97), STEM Librarian and President of Oberlin City Council; Victor Melfi, Tech CSO, Friend of the Oberlin College Libraries Board Member & Oberlin Parent; and Juwayria Zahurullah (OC ’26), Oberlin College Student Senate.
2026 Edible Book Festival Submissions:
Photos from the Event:
