Boffoli began the "Big Appetites" series more than a decade ago, and his images have been featured in museum exhibits around the world. (Our friends at The Picture Show wrote about one such show last year.)

His photographs have also found a following among art collectors: Prints sell from anywhere from $950 for a 12-by-18-inch image to more than $10,000 for one that's 48-by-72 inches.

"The elements of this work are toys and foods — two of the most common elements in cultures around the world," Boffoli says. "It gives the work broad appeal."

Part of the charm lies in the way that Boffoli's scenarios play upon the common childhood fantasy that toys have secret lives of their own. As Boffoli writes in the book's introduction, "These are actually real, tiny people with their own lives and complex culture."

Yet the images also speak to our own culture and the "dysfunctional relationship we have with food in America," Boffoli says.

"Food spectatorship and overconsumption are issues I wanted to work in subtly," he says. "But it's not really didactic."

Lemon Cupcake Sledding: "It seemed an opportune time to school little Danny on the pitfalls of eating yellow snow." Photo: Christopher Boffoli/Courtesy Workman Publishing

Linguine Car Wash: "The deluxe carbonara option was canceled after too many customers lost mirrors and antennas." Photo: Christopher Boffoli/Courtesy Workman Publishing

Pie Excavators: "Despite their best efforts, they never did manage to find Cecil's lost wedding ring." Photo: Christopher Boffoli/Courtesy Workman Publishing

Seal Team 5 1/2: "The best Navy commandos train for absolutely every contingency." Photo: Christopher Boffoli/Courtesy Workman Publishing

Rice Krispies Treats Stonehenge: "Famous landmarks always look different from how they appear in photographs." Photo: Christopher Boffoli/Courtesy Workman Publishing

Copyright 2013 NPR.

Christopher BoffoliChristopher Boffoli

Photos: Enter A World Of Cupcake Sledding And Broccoli Lawns