Peeps Diorama Contest at the Larchmont Library

Kim Larsen, librarian for teen services, organized the library’s Peeps contest. The children, grades 6 to twelve, were provided with more than 100 Peeps, shoeboxes and art supplies to create their masterpieces.

The library undoubtedly borrowed its idea from the famous Washington Post Peep Diorama Contest. The Washington Post has held the contest for the past nine years. Contestants from all over can send in a picture of their diorama, which depicts famous scenes using Peeps as characters. Click here to see the 2015 contest winner.

All three library entries displayed scenes from the children’s favorite books. Emma Thorpe, 11, and Abby Tucker, 11, chose to remake the fudge river scene from the classic “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Their diorama took home the first place prize for Funniest Peeps with Charlie and the Peep Factory.

Abby seemed confident from the start. However, Emma debated how to make the marshmallow bunny designated to be Charlie stand out. The girls settled the dilemma by biting off his ears. The girls added the finishing touches once they were comfortable with their decision.

“We totally have this in the bag,” Abby said.

In second place, Marcus,12, and his sister Arianna,13, won Best Book-themed Peeps with their variation on the popular trilogy, “The Hunger Games,” with The Peeping Games. At first, the siblings struggled with building the cornucopia, the source of food and supplies in the arena and the center focus of their diorama, but with a little reconfiguration, the diorama strongly represented the novel. Arianna and Marcus focused on details a true fan could really relate to. One bunny was even given the signature Katniss braid, which the heroine so proudly wears in the book.

Going into judging Arianna’s only concern was Marcus’ overuse of red marker on the fallen Peeps. Marcus, however, stood by his decision to accurately depict the battle scene.

“It’s realism!” Marcus said.

Coming in third, Dimitri and Maria Haralampopoulos,11, won Creepiest Peeps with their take on the dark fantasy novel, “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” putting Peeps in place of children in the title. When asked about how he placed in the contest, Dimitri explained he was mostly there to support his twin sister.

While the judges deliberated, contestants made s’mores using their leftover Peeps. When it came time to give away the prizes, everyone got to pick a book of their choice. Winning or losing aside, the contestants agreed the day was a success.