Taking a bite out of the Edible Book Contest

The Friends of the Mentor Public Library hosted an Edible Books contest Saturday. About 20 entries—dishes evoking everything from The Color Purple to Everybody Poops—competed for votes.

Here are a few of our favorites. For more, check out Mentor Library's Facebook page.

This cake may have been delicious, but I was too scared to find out.

"Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee?" Get it? Get it? You got it.

Look at the cover of "Creepy Carrots" to see just how perfectly Lisa recreated it with cookies.

This beautiful version of "Rechenka's Eggs" was made by a fourth grader, Chloe.

This cake is still a more faithful depiction of "The Scarlet Letter" than that movie with Demi Moore.

It takes a brave person to eat an "Everybody Poops" cake.

Sink your teeth into an Edible Books contest

What’s sweeter than cake and almost as nourishing as a good book? The Edible Book contest at Mentor Public Library.

Anyone can participate. All you have to do is pick you favorite book—or any book, really—and create a dish that evokes it.

Get as creative as you like. An armless gingerbread man could be Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms.” Make a pastry version of Gandalf, a “Pudd’nhead Wilson” dessert or a “Grapes of Wrath” fruit salad. See if a Hungry Caterpillar cake can eat a hole in itself. Pinterest is filled with great ideas.

The dishes will be judged from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, at our Main Branch.

Prizes will be awarded in five categories:

1. Most Bookish—What food best evokes the book it’s based upon?
2. Most Creative—What dish wows the most with its creativity?
3. Most Mouth-Watering—What offering looks the most delicious?
4. Most Noteworthy—What entry grabs your attention (though it may not necessarily fit into the other categories?)
5. Best Student Entry—Best overall dish entered by someone 18 or younger.

The winners in all five categories will receive MPL mugs, window clings, flash drives and other sundry.

Want to participate but don’t consider yourself much of a chef? Be a judge.

Three dollars gets anyone a ballot to vote and a fork to enjoy all the entries.

All proceeds from the Edible Book contest will go to the Friends of the Mentor Public Library, which will, in turn, use the money to support library programs and events.

Those who want more information about the Edible Books contest or wish to sign up can call Mentor Public Library at 440-255-8811 ext. 219 or email amanda.densmore@mentorpl.org.