Babar

The Story of Babar (Babar Books (Random House))

The Story of Babar--the early adventures of the enduring, endearing elephant--was written in 1931 by French writer Jean de Brunhoff (1899-1937). Since then, it has been translated into at least 12 languages. It's amazing how much can happen to one little elephant in the course of one little book: Babar loses his mother to a hunter, wanders into the city, gets a new wardrobe, becomes the hit of high society, marries his cousin Céleste (totally acceptable in contemporary Elephantine society), and is crowned King of the Elephants.

The Story of Babar is essentially the tale of a country boy who comes to the city and, while there, comes of age. In the end, he returns home to share his knowledge and experiences with family and friends. The beautiful, delightfully detailed illustrations--de Brunhoff was a painter by trade--never fail to amuse. (Although none of the characters seem to notice, the sight of Babar in a suit leaning against the mantel while he regales his audience with tales of the jungle is plainly hilarious.) All of the Babar books are notable for their ability to tell larger stories with simplicity and style, and The Story of Babar is no exception. Potentially troubling moments--the death of Babar's mother, for example--are handled with taste, emphasizing Babar's unique gift for uncovering a silver lining in the most persistent of clouds. (Ages 4 to 8, though the cursive writing makes it best for reading aloud.)

The classic first story about literature’s most beloved pachyderm. After his mother is killed by a hunter, Babar avoids capture by escaping to the city, where he is befriended by the kindly Old Lady. He becomes educated and cultured and, upon his return to the great forest, is crowned King of the Elephants. Translated from Jean de Brunhoff's original French, the adventures of the world's most popular elephant and his friends have enchanted an three generations. Delightfully amusing illustrations make this short collection of classic Babar tales a book to treasure for children young and old.

Bonjour, Babar!: The Six Unabridged Classics by the Creator of Babar

Seven decades after Babar was born, the world is still very much in love with the noble elephant. Before his untimely death at age 37, Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated six stories about Babar and his friends and family. In this exquisite gift edition, every one of these stories is included, with not a word or picture left out. From The Story of Babar--in which the elephant is born, loses his mother, runs off to Paris, and returns to be crowned king--through The Travels of Babar, Babar the King, Babar and Zephir, Babar and His Children, and Babar and Father Christmas, the beloved pachyderm's incredible life adventures are chronicled for our reading pleasure. In his introduction, picture book author-illustrator Kevin Henkes writes, "Where else could one find a balloon accident, a deadly poison mushroom, a runaway carriage, an extraordinary flying machine, a snake attack, fire, war, death, birth? These books are full of adventure and fantasy, but they also deal with the stuff of real life. And I'm convinced children long to see both the dark and the light sides of human experience reflected in their books just as much as adults do, perhaps more." Adults who truly wish to share the joys of the classics with the children in their lives could do no better than to present them with this grand collection. (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie Coulter

In 1931 Jean de Brunhoff created Babar, a little elephant who walked out of the jungle and into the hearts of civilized readers the world over. Widely recognized as the father of the picture book, Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated six Babar stories before his early death in 1937. Every word and every picture of these classics is included in this big, inviting gift edition.

Babar the King (Babar Books (Random House))

This third title about Babar and his family follows the elephants as they build a magnificent city: Celesteville. Life is peaceful and contented, everyone has a job to do, and celebrations are frequent. But one fateful day a snake bites the Old Lady and Babar fears that he may lose his oldest friend. Illus. in full color by the author.

Babar and His Children (Babar Books (Random House))

One of Jean de Brunhoff's five original Babar stories, Babar and His Children tells how the royal elephant and Queen Celeste await the birth of their first child... and discover to their surprise that they have three! The loyal townsfolk bring gifts, and the babies are named before being weighed by wise Dr. Capoulosse (he of the stern expression and pince-nez). Then it's time for young Flora, Pom, and Alexander to get into a series of scrapes and be saved by the bravery and good sense of either their parents or other animals. Brunhoff's charming, faintly Edwardian illustrations never cease to capture the imagination, and this particular story has something in it for every member of a young family--even if some members of your family are merely human. (Ages 2 to 6) --Richard Farr

Such joy in Celesteville! Babar and Celeste have had triplets. The smallest, Alexander, has a knack for getting into predicaments. Between getting stuck in the treetops and being chased by a crocodile, he certainly keeps Babar on his toes, but the king readily admits, “Truly it is not easy to bring up a family, but how nice the babies are!” The fifth Babar story is a wonderful and heartwarming salute to parenthood which every Mom and Dad will appreciate.

Babar's Yoga for Elephants

Well before yoga became fashionable via Sting and Madonna, the beloved elephant king Babar and all the residents of Celesteville were finding peace and tranquillity through yoga. And now elephants everywhere can join them! Through easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step illustrations, Babar's Yoga for Elephants presents 15 positions and stretches as well as helpful breathing exercises. The book also provides useful advice on what to do with your trunk while in position, a dilemma that human yoga books often ignore.

Written by Babar himself, the book explains how yoga was introduced to Celesteville and how he and Queen Celeste keep fit doing yoga on their many travels. Including a pull-out poster showing Babar in yoga poses, Babar's Yoga for Elephants is sure to become a classic for elephants as well as their human friends.

Babar's Museum of Art

On one of their weekly balloon flights over Celesteville, Babar and Celeste notice that the railroad station is standing empty. Elephants, it seems, now prefer cars over trains. Interestingly, although Babar comments on the roads "jammed with traffic," he and his queen decide to focus on the other issue--the abandoned station. Celeste comes up with an idea to turn it into a museum to house their art collection, and soon an architect is drawing up plans and workers are renovating the building. When the great day of the opening arrives, what a show! The royal couple had acquired some pretty impressive and well known works of art--all featuring elephants, of course. Laurent de Brunhoff outdoes himself with the real-life art-inspired paintings and sculptures, from Mary CassattÂ’s "Mother and Child" to Edvard MunchÂ’s "The Scream" to Leonardo da VinciÂ’s "Mona Lisa." Young art buffs will enjoy the very age-appropriate art appreciation lessons, as the children are encouraged! to say whatever they want about the art: "I like this picture because itÂ’s red," says Arthur about Van GoghÂ’s "Self-Portrait." When pedantic Cornelius tries to pontificate, Celeste gently hushes him. Includes a free pull-out poster. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

An all-new Babar book with tremendous crossover appeal!

Includes a free pull-out poster!

Following the phenomenal success of Babar's Yoga for Elephants, here is an all-new Babar story. Everyone who loves art, Babar, or children will love Babar's Museum of Art.

The old train station in Celesteville stands empty--should it be torn down? "No!" declare Celeste and Babar, who decide to turn it into an art museum. Their children (like many young museum-goers) have a lot of questions about art: "Does it have to be pretty? Does it have to be old? Does it have to make sense?" Celeste's patient answers explain the basic ideas of art appreciation.

Babar and Celeste's generous donations to the new museum include witty and striking elephant-inspired version of Michelangelo's Creation of Man, George Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, and Sandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus, along with many other celebrated paintings. Children and adults will want to visit Babar's Museum of Art again and again!

Babar and Father Christmas (Babar Books (Random House))

Babar returns in this unusual and heartwarming Christmas story by Jean de Brunhoff. Babar’s children have caught wind of a fellow in Man’s country named Father Christmas who brings joy and toys to little children. “If only we could bring him here,” they wish. So they write the Christmas saint a letter inviting him to visit them. When they get no reply, Babar, ever the good father, rushes out to find the red-suited one. After much searching, and with the help of a dog named Duck, Babar reaches Father Christmas’s workshop in the snow. Can Babar find a way to bring him to Elephants’ country?

Babar's Little Girl (Babar Classics)

When Babar and Celeste's new baby girl is born, everyone rejoices. What fun it is to watch little Isabelle learn to walk and play trumpet and roller skate... and get lost in the mountains! After the family goes for a walk one day, they discover young Isabelle is missing. Carelessly, Isabelle has forgotten what her papa told her last time she wandered off: never to disappear without telling her family where she is going. Eventually, the little rascal finds herself near the home of old family friends and ends up having a delightful day playing with them, until they see Babar on TV, desperately searching for his daughter. After a thrilling ride on a hang glider, the prodigal daughter returns to the welcoming (if scolding) arms of her family.

Laurent de Brunhoff's exciting Babar adventures, based on his father's original tales and artwork (The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant, Babar the King, etc.), continue to thrill readers, generation after generation. The familiar watercolors of this beloved elephant family are as appealing as ever, even in a contemporary story that includes CD players with earphones and yoga exercises. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

Babar and Celeste have a new little girl! Isabelle is playful, spunky, and curious—maybe a bit too curious. One day she wanders off to look for Boover and Picardee, friends of the family who live nearby. The three have a lovely day, playing, singing, and snacking. But back at home, everyone is in a panic—Isabelle is lost!

A warm and humorous adventure that reminds young children not to run off on their own, BabarÂ’s Little Girl is a charming addition to every Babar collection.

Babar's USA (Babar (Harry N. Abrams))

Celebrate Babar as he celebrates America!

Babar Comes to America (Babar (Harry N. Abrams))