Customer Reviews

Cavern of Babel

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If you like animals and you like fantasy, then this might be the book for you. Written by Albert Packard and illustrated by Shawn Boyles, it is not only well-written and fun, the illustrations and design for the book are just beautiful (talking about the print version).

Buttersby the Alpaca gets kidnapped and taken to South America. Adventures ensue involving a complete mythology for the animals, a prophetic mouse, a quest, and a dreadlocked alpaca named Meander.

I reviewed this book on my homeschooling website, evaluating it in terms of how it would work as part of a homeschool program. Following are my thoughts on this book in that context:

This is a charming book that will appeal to upper elementary school aged children. The book was written to teach about alpacas, a surprisingly cute animal (who knew?), but the book reads like a true fantasy novel, not like a textbook. There are snippets of alpaca facts before each chapter, and other bits of information are tucked naturally into the story. Buttersby is a realistically portrayed champion and her personal growth is believably drawn out. Meander risks stealing the show with his laid back personality and determined kindness to someone who is unkind to him. A delightful touch is added by a prophetic mouse who pops up with mysterious messages, but who avoids stereotype by following them up with humorous complaints.

There are Biblical references sprinkled throughout the story, which has its foundation in events that were caused by the tower of Babel. The book isn't a religious story in the traditional sense, but homeschooling parents can draw upon these references to tie the reading of the book to their scripture readings. The concepts of pride and judgment allow parents to initiate important discussions with their children about Biblical principles. Families who don't use the Bible can read this with their children as well, since it doesn't refer directly to the Bible as a book, only to specific events, and it doesn't preach.

The book is a great enrichment activity for unit studies on animals, Peru, or the Old Testament. The cuddly alpacas in the wonderful pictures may send your children begging for a pet alpaca, however. But rest assured, they will never again confuse an alpaca with a llama. Llamas spit; alpacas hum (and Buttersby hums in perfect pitch.)

On the book's website, you'll also find games, alpaca facts, and chapter notes from the author, which your teens who write fiction will find enlightening.