Whitten Wins Edible Book Contest

On April 4, cooks, librarians, and people who really like cake met at the M. P. Baker Library to review the entries for this year’s edible book contest. The event was part of an International Edible Book Festival that takes place during the first week in April throughout the world. It was also a unique opportunity for the Library staff to raise money for the Library’s expansion project.

A panel of discerning judges comprised of Dr. Lillian Cook, Professor Freddy Mason, and Mr. Van Patterson, reviewed the seventeen entries. Each cake was judged on creativity, aesthetics, and representation. “There were a lot of really great looking cakes,” said Patterson. “All of the judges were very impressed with the creativity and talent that we have in the community. After all of the points were totaled, the winner was May Whitten with an entry titled ‘The Giving Tree’. Congratulations May! It was well deserved.”

The Giving Tree is a children's book written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein first published in 1964. Since then, the book has become one of Silverstein's most well-known titles and has been translated into many languages. The story is a short moral tale about a relationship between a young boy and a tree in the forest. It tells the account of how the tree helps the boy with his needs throughout his life.

Following the judging, the cakes were sold in a silent auction with all proceeds being donated to the M. P. Baker Library Expansion Fund. Altogether the Library Staff raised $621. In addition to cakes, the library staff was selling cookbooks. “The Cookbook is a compilation of recipes from previous and current M. P. Baker Library staff,” said Zeny Jett, Director, Library Services. “Priced at $10 each, it makes an ideal gift. If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, please call 903-693-1155 and let us know. We’ll be happy to take your order.”