At 2 p.m., halfway into the two-hour “Edible Book Festival” at North Mankato’s Taylor Library and after the judging, the 16 varied entries took quite a licking.
That’s when Jeremy Freeman, the event organizer and teen outreach librarian, announces that it’s time to “Eat Your Words,” the festival’s catch phrase. Freeman’s enjoyed four years helping and now leading the annual festival, which staff believe has now reached nine years.
Jessica Ziemer of North Mankato has provided entries for the past three and enjoys the community concept of the festival, promoting reading and an intergenerational get-together. And sometimes, one hits on a recent book that provides a creative spark.
Ziemer’s chocolate fudge cake depicting an emergency entrance to a hospital earned her the “People’s Choice” honor in the adult category. The book she read and featured was “The Women” by author Kristin Hannah, a 2024 fictional novel based on the estimated 10,000 nurses who served during the Vietnam War but are rarely written about or acknowledged.
“She’s my favorite author and I like historical fiction,” Ziemer said prior to judging, carefully adding some touches to the cake entry. “So it’s a good blend of both of my likes.”
Six categories are included in the soft competition, but it’s the tasting time which really brought out the crowd throughout the library on Saturday. Some cakes and cookies filled plates and Hy Vee Hilltop provided a decorative “Edible Book Festival 2025” and the “Eat Your Words” temptation.
For Freeman, he’s a big fan of the “Punniest” category, but others include “Most Edible,” “Child Prodigy,” “Best Library Staff” and the adult and under 18 “People’s Choice.”
Ten-year-old Suyeon Kim earned the “Child Prodigy” award with a spicy noodle, white rice, seaweed and red peppers creation which was designed as a picture of “Judy Moody,” lead character in a series of children’s books by Peter H. Reynolds.
Visitor and taster Precious Nlemchi, Mankato, might have favored Kim’s entry as tastiest, too. Even though there were plenty of sweets she and her daughter plated, she was attracted by both the design and taste.
“I also liked the “Judy Moody” because it’s not sweet,” said Nlemchi.
Taylor Library is a popular North Mankato community center, according to Freeman. Library director Katie Heintz, who brought her three children to the festival, was pleased again with the event and enjoys the number of young children who splice through the book shelves. Some are carrying plates, others oblivious to the festival, instead on a scavenger hunt.
It’s loud. And fun.
“I know,” Heintz said. “They love it.”