Words are popping out of the pages of people’s favorite books and into the kitchen this Mom’s Weekend at WSU’s first edible book festival.

Influenced by an edible book festival while attending the University of Illinois, Holly Luetkenhaus, a WSU instructional librarian, said she hopes the festival will become an annual event for Mom’s Weekend. The festival is about making something based off a book out of food.

“I just really like food, and I really like books, so it was just fun putting them together,” Luetkenhaus said.

People tend to get creative with the festival, Luetkenhaus said, playing with puns and different kinds of food to represent a book. Luetkenhaus said one of her favorite projects designs is a take on the novel “Grapes of Wrath,” where the contender drew angry faces on a bunch of grapes.

“The ones that are kind of funny or people play on the title of the book or the author are my favorites,” Luetkenhaus said.

One of this year’s entries is by Lorena O’English, a social sciences librarian at WSU. O’English said her entry is based off J.R. Tokin’s “The Two Towers,” using brownies to create the tower of Sauron and cream-colored cookies to create the tower of Gondor.

The most difficult aspect of the festival is making sure your model gets to the contest in one piece, O’English said.

“There is a learning aspect to taking something in your head and making it work,” O’English said.

As of March 31, Luetkenhaus said the festival had a total of 12 entries, but may see as many as 15 participants. Four judges from the Pullman and WSU community will decide which entry receives certain awards, Luetkenhaus said, such as most appetizing, punniest, best visual presentation and people’s choice.

“You’re cooking for an audience,” said Sarah English, Manager of Chewelah Public Library and judge for the event.

Many people are focused on schoolwork and may only use books as a means to an end. However, this contest makes reading come off as something to enjoy, O’English said.

“It’s challenging, its creative and it’s different,” O’English said.

While the festival traditionally allows all who attend to eat the designs after awards have been given, Luetkenhaus said this festival will not do so due to restrictions of serving food at public events.

However, light refreshments will be provided, Luetkenhaus said.

Trophies will be given to the winners, Luetkenhaus said. The trophies were created by Amy Grey, the library’s graphic designer. The festival will take place from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8, in the Terrell Library Atrium.