Here's what's being said about CAVERN OF BABEL . . .

Kirkus Discoveries, December 2006

A cute, well-written and suspenseful animal-adventure story.
The heroine, Buttersby, is a dominant alpaca who reigns over her Virginia ranch. Since she has won many championship ribbons, she has become, simply put, a self-centered snob. After being kidnapped along with Meander, a male alpaca whom Buttersby scorns no matter how often he helps her, she arrives in Peru among alpacas who refuse to acknowledge her superiority. As such, the outraged Buttersby finds herself at the bottom of the social system, and she’s sent into the jungle with a quest: to find the legendary cave of the alpaca ancestors, aided by a prophetic mouse, ancient Vicunas and the trusty Meander. Told entirely from the alpacas’ point of view, the story zips along in short chapters adorned with illustrations as whimsical as the narrative, and young readers will recognize Buttersby’s failings in her well-drawn character. Most memorable, though, is the confident, wise-cracking Meander, who sticks by Buttersby despite her disdain. Packard displays a good feel for both comedy and suspense. Though the kidnapping is never fully explained, and though it may be difficult to understand why the conceited Buttersby would be the chosen one, Cavern of Babel is a charming, enjoyable read.
Readers will have fun and learn a great deal about alpacas. Well-done. (Fiction. 8-12)

“The book was written for the purpose of educating children about alpacas, but in no way does the book read like traditional educational material. Instead, Cavern of Babel is a fantasy novel in which the characters happen to be anthropomorphic alpacas.  Packard creates not only personalities for his alpacas, but an entire society, religion, and mythology that make the novel a rich and interesting read. . .The cast of characters is just ridiculous enough to be entertaining, but not so ridiculous that the novel becomes unbelievable. Packard spins the characters convincingly together into a cohesive society, adding a depth to the characters . . .”

Timewasters review, Ms. Fish, December 2006 (http://www.timewastersguide.com)

“What a fun book . . . . I think alpacas must be the Mr. Monk of the animal world!”

- Z. Mueller, Florida

“I gave it to my 10-year old granddaughter and she absolutely couldn’t put it down!”

-   Terri, Pennsylvania

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