‘To eat one’s words’ took on a whole new meaning as the Albany Institute celebrated the International Edible Book Festival with an afternoon tea and display of literary–themed edible creations.

The Edible Book Festival is an international celebration of the printed word, which began in 1999.  It was conceived by Judith A. Hoffberg over a Thanksgiving turkey with book artists and became an international event through the website of artist Béatrice Coron. 

For more information or to participate in next year's event, please contact the AIHA Library at 518.463.4478 or email library@albanyinstitute.org.

ANSWERS TO THE LITERARY QUIZ

1.  Dutch Gouda and Crackers

John “leaned back his great hairy head and stared straight up the chimney to where in the black sky the Seven Sisters sat aglitter.  And suddenly, while he lolled there on his stool watching that tiny seven, there appeared against the dark sky a mischievous, elvish head secretly peeping down at him; and busy hands sprinkling dew on his wide upturned face.  He heard the laughter too of the fairies miching and gambolling on his thatch, and in a rage he started up, seized a great round cheese that lay on a platter, and with all his force threw it clean and straight up the sooty chimney at the faces of mockery clustered above.”

Book:  The Dutch Cheese

Author:  Walter De La Marie

2. Strawberries

Tess wished to abridge her visit as much as possible; but the young man was pressing, and she consented to accompany him. He conducted her about the lawns, and flowerbeds, and conservatories; and thence to the fruit-garden and greenhouses, where he asked her if she liked strawberries.

"Yes," said Tess, "when they come."

"They are already here." D'Urberville began gathering specimens of the fruit for her, handing them back to her as he stooped; and, presently, selecting a specially fine product of the "British Queen" variety, he stood up and held it by the stem to her mouth.

"No--no!" she said quickly, putting her fingers between his hand and her lips. "I would rather take it in my own hand."

"Nonsense!" he insisted; and in a slight distress she parted her lips and took it in.

Book:  Tess of the d’Urbervilles

Author: Thomas Hardy

"A Clockwork Orange"

3. Dunkin’ Munchkins

Three were men and one a woman, and all were oddly dressed.  They wore round hats that rose to a small point a foot above their heads, with little bells around the brims that tinkled sweetly as they moved.  The hats of the men were blue; the little woman's hat was white, and she wore a white gown that hung in pleats from her shoulders.  Over it were sprinkled little stars that glistened in the sun like diamonds.  The men were dressed in blue, of the same shade as their hats, and wore well-polished boots with a deep roll of blue at the tops.  The men, Dorothy thought, were about as old as Uncle Henry, for two of them had beards.  But the little woman was doubtless much older.  Her face was covered with wrinkles, her hair was nearly white, and she walked rather stiffly.

When these people drew near the house where Dorothy was standing in the doorway, they paused and whispered among themselves, as if afraid to come farther.  But the little old woman walked up to Dorothy, made a low bow and said, in a sweet voice:

"You are welcome, most noble Sorceress, to the land of the Munchkins.  We are so grateful to you for having killed the Wicked Witch of the East, and for setting our people free from bondage."

Book:  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Author:  L. Frank Baum

4. Chessmen Cookies

The next chamber was so dark they couldn't see anything at all.  But as they stepped into it, light suddenly flooded the room to reveal an astonishing sight.

They were standing on the edge of a huge chessboard, behind the black chessmen, which were all taller than they were and carved from what looked like black stone.  Facing them, way across the chamber, were the white pieces.  Harry, Ron and Hermione shivered slightly -- the towering white chessmen had no faces. 

"Now what do we do?"  Harry whispered.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" said Ron.  "We've got to play our way across the room."

Behind the white pieces they could see another door.

Book:  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Author:  J.K. Rowling

"Chess"

5. Garlic Cheese Ball

HOTSPUR:  “O, he is as tedious as a tired horse, a railing wife; Worse than a smoky house: I had rather live with cheese and garlic in a windmill, far, than feed on cates and have him talk to me in any summer-house in Christendom.”

Book:  Henry IV, Part I, III

Author:  William Shakespeare

6. Goldfish Crackers

And our fish came down, too.

He fell into a pot!

He said, “Do I like this?

Oh, no! I do not.

This is not a good game,”

Said our fish as he lit.

“No, I do not like it,

Not one little bit.”

Book:  The Cat in the Hat

Author:  Dr. Seuss

"Green Eggs & Ham"

7. Cranberry Scones and Orange Marmalade

“Well, that’s settled then,” said Mrs. Brown, before her husband could change his mind.  “And you can have marmalade for breakfast every morning, and…”  She tried hard to think of something else that bears might like.

“Every morning?”  The bear looked as if he could hardly believe his ears.  “I only had it on special occasions at home.  Marmalade’s very expensive in Darkest Peru.”

“Then you shall have it every morning, starting tomorrow,” continued Mrs. Brown.  “And honey on Sunday.”

Book:  A Bear Called Paddington

Author:  Michael Bond

8. Cucumber Sandwiches

"The boys had all gathered round, and at these words they felt much ashamed, and begged Lewis' pardon so heartily that he could not refuse to give it. Miss Crane presented the knife to him, and he kept it many years to remind him of the fault that had brought him so much trouble."

"I wonder why it is that things you eat on the sly hurt you, and don't when you eat them at table," observed Stuffy, thoughtfully.

"Perhaps your conscience affects your stomach," said Mrs. Jo, smiling at his speech.

"He is thinking of the cucumbers," said Ned, and a gale of merriment followed the words, for Stuffy's last mishap had been a funny one.

He ate two large cucumbers in private, felt very ill, and confided his anguish to Ned, imploring him to do something. Ned good-naturedly recommended a mustard plaster and a hot flat iron to the feet; only in applying these remedies he reversed the order of things, and put the plaster on the feet, the flat iron on the stomach, and poor Stuffy was found in the barn with blistered soles and a scorched jacket.

"Suppose you tell another story, that was such an interesting one," said Nat, as the laughter subsided.

Book:  Little Men

Author:  Louisa May Alcott

"The Grapes of Raft"

9. Scroll Sandwiches

“Give it me," said the Templar. "We have that of the priestly character, that we have some knowledge to enlighten our valour."

"Let us profit by your most reverend knowledge, then," said De Bracy; "what says the scroll?"

"It is a formal letter of defiance," answered the Templar; "but, by our Lady of Bethlehem, if it be not a foolish jest, it is the most extraordinary cartel that ever was sent across the drawbridge of a baronial castle."

"Jest!" said Front-de-Boeuf, "I would gladly know who dares jest with me in such a matter!---Read it, Sir Brian."

The Templar accordingly read it as follows:---"I, Wamba, the son of Witless, Jester to a noble and free-born man, Cedric of Rotherwood, called the Saxon, -- And I, Gurth, the son of Beowulph, the swineherd------"

"Thou art mad," said Front-de-Boeuf, interrupting the reader.

Book:  Ivanhoe

Author:  Sir Walter Scott

10. Stilton Sandwiches

And very tough indeed Master Bitherstone found him, when he took that young gentleman out for a walk. But the Major, with his complexion like a Stilton cheese, and his eyes like a prawn's, went roving about, perfectly indifferent to Master Bitherstone's amusement, and dragging Master Bitherstone along, while he looked about him high and low, for Mr. Dombey and his children.

Book:  Dombey and Sons

Author:  Charles Dickens

"The Scarlet Letter"