Babel

Gr 2–5—The story of the Tower of Babel is told in Genesis 11:1–9. This picture book retells and fleshes out that brief incident. Remembering the recent flood (of Noah's Ark fame), the people use their universally shared language to coordinate the building of a tower so tall that it will hold up the sky and keep them safe. Their success breeds hubris, and they start to think of warring with God in order to take over the heavens as their home. God cannot allow such arrogance, sending angels to erase the old languages from the people's heads and give them each a new, different language. Unable to communicate, they remember "that they [are] small and the world [is] so very big," and they scatter. While the source material itself has problematic gaps in logic, this is a beautiful repackaging of the tale. The text has an appropriately formal tone, yet the storytelling remains clear and straightforward. Motivations and emotional responses are supplied through the narrative and the illustrations. Uncited midrash (rabbinic commentaries) supply some of the additional material, while other details appear to be original. The well-executed pencil and watercolor illustrations make this book a standout. The limited palette gives a classic feel, and the dominance of brick red reinforces the prominence of the tower. A sense of movement and perspective emphasizes the growth and height of the edifice. The expressive faces of the characters help to tell the story. White skin dominates the crowd scenes of this Middle Eastern tale (and of the 10 angels, all are white with blond or orange hair). Eurocentrism is also evident in the very limited sampling of Earth's languages, leaving entire continents unrepresented. Despite problematic elements, the lyrical storytelling and dynamic illustrations will attract readers.