The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant
The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant book cover

The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant

Hardcover – Picture Book, January 1, 1961

by
Price
$12.99
Format
Hardcover
Pages
56
Publisher
Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0394805757
Dimensions
8.44 x 0.4 x 11.25 inches
Weight
15.2 ounces

Description

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.) "With many absurd and funny pictures, these tales of the popular elephant furnish hours of enjoyment to the young person."-- Elementary English From the Inside Flap 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. 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. Jean de Brunhoff (1899–1937) was a writer and illustrator. Initially, he and his wife Cécile created the Babar series for their children. Brunhoff was born in Paris. Read more

Features & Highlights

  • The classic story of literature’s most beloved elephant. 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. Later, with cousins Celeste and Arthur, he returns to the great forest to be crowned King of the Elephants. With the original illustrations from Jean de Brunhoff's 1931 classic, this first Babar story has enchanted generations.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(470)
★★★★
25%
(196)
★★★
15%
(117)
★★
7%
(55)
★
-7%
(-55)

Most Helpful Reviews

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The original is still the best!

Ah, to be King of the Elephants. Not only do you get to live in the palace in Celesteville, but you also get to rewrite your life story. In the original books, Babar was an ordinary elephant who was orphaned at a young age and went to seek his fortune in the city before he returned and was chosen to be king. In the newer video series that my kids brought home from the library the other day, Babar recounts his adventures as a young prince growing up in the palace. And they say elephants never forget!
The original story is fairly simple. After a hunter kills his mother, Babar runs away until he comes to a city. As luck would have it, one of the first people he meets is a lady who loves to spend money on young elephants. Soon Babar has a dashing new wardrobe, a private tutor, and elegant friends. Life would be wonderful if he weren't so homesick. When his two cousins show up, Babar decides to go back home with them. The elders of the elephant herd decide that Babar, with his civilized ways, should become their king.
There's a school of thought that criticizes the Babar stories as colonialist. But then, most of children's literature written before the 1970s isn't exactly politically correct, is it? Do you tell your children that Babar is a tool of the imperialist establishment, or do you point out what a wonderful culture the elephants built when they banded together to build Celesteville, their capital city? Or do you just read the stories for pure enjoyment?
35 people found this helpful
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A classic book, but apparently too much for coddling parents

This book holds my fondest memories of my childhood, a childhood that was in some ways harder than Babar's. The idea that from the loss of a parent, I could still grow up and be king was something that that gave me confidence and hope. It made me want to learn and to teach others, and it helped me know that life isn't always easy and pretty, but you have to make the most of what you are dealt. I would recommend this book for every child, but especially for those that have lost something dear to them and could use a little help imagining what is possible.

The low reviews for this book are all absurd, they are great examples of how poorly we treat our kids and how little we think of them as individuals. These people think they need to hide the world from their children rather than let them see and explore it for themselves. If you feel guilty sharing this book with your kids because you can't deal with reality, then you should really reconsider breading. The world will be a better place for your restraint.
19 people found this helpful
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As a child growing up I was a big fan ...

As a child growing up I was a big fan of Babar- rereading it to my son today, I was a bit taken aback. Some spoilers ahead:
Babar's mother is shot dead on the first few pages
Babar is elected king because he wears a suit and is civilized (compared tot he other "savage" elephants)
A bit heavy on the British Imperialism, the book feels very dated and has a questionable message for children today
16 people found this helpful
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Wonderfully and engagingly written

This is the "Bambi" of children's books. Wonderfully and engagingly written, w fantastic illustrations, this is the book that kicked off the wonderful Babar series.
But- but- but! Like "Bambi"... notice how that's never on TV, ever? The one jarring moment is in the first few pages when a hunter SHOOTS AND KILLS Barbar's mother. You could argue that it's part of the reason the book is so powerful- Babar discovers his independence! - but it is jarring for modern readers, and can be difficult for sensitive children. I loved the book as a child, and I have read it to my son many times... but he had a tough time the first read we did together.
15 people found this helpful
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Disturbing...

We received this book as a gift for our 3 yr old. I read it to her and it was really disturbing. Other reviews have noted that it must be read "in context" as far as the time it was written. I disagree - when was a child's viewing a mother's brutal murder (Babar seeing his mother being shot before his eyes) ever appropriate fare for a little child? Then, Babar has to run for his life and later on in the book, there is another death. Also, Babar is surprised when his cousins have no clothes - this is upsetting to him. I find it offensive - elephants don't need to be like people - they don't need clothes. I don't see the charm in this book at all. I don't see the attraction. One thing -- Babar marrying his cousin is the one thing that is not shocking - its not like incest, like brother and sister or like they grew up together -- people have been marrying cousins for thousands of years - up until at least the beginning of this century - hardly immoral.
14 people found this helpful
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Babar, a Classic

I have fond memories of tracing my fingers over the elephants, enjoined trunk to tail, which walked over the back and front of our huge BABAR book. Thanks to a thoughtful baby gift from my cousin, I continue to do so, with my two sons. We enjoy finding Babar among the other little elephants and weep together over his mother`s cruel demise. We continue to delight at his resilience and enjoy with him his first experiences with people things, and always rejoice at his good fortune and friends.
While there are some problematic elements, ( as when the hunter shoots Babar`s mother or when he marries his cousin,) please keep in mind when this was written and do not let this stop you from sharing this classic with your young ones. Parents and caretakers should seize this great opportunity to talk with them while addressing the issues. There are many positive aspects to the story and the characters, themselves. Delightfully illustrated and charmingly told, the one drawback is that the text, while charming for adults reading aloud, can be an obstacle to early readers.
12 people found this helpful
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Colonialist Propaganda

At age 6, I knew something about this book wasn't right. I hated having to "dress up," and when I read that Babar is made "king of the elephants" on the basis of his "fine clothes," I felt uneasy. Why does one have to wear a shirt and tie just to be a decent human being? Can't people be appreciated if they don't wear suits? Can't we be accepted as we are? Or do we want to teach kids that we're only as good as the clothes we wear?

Worse, this book is an obvious parable on how European powers tried to force their ways on Africans, Asians, and Pacific peoples. The aboriginal people of Africa, for instance, had to learn French and English, and had to dress in European clothes, even though the clothes were expensive and the heat would've been stifling. The colonial masters would introduce these people to "civilized clothing" under the guise of "moral education." But the real reason was that they could create a bigger market for their manufactured goods if they persuaded Africans to wear shirts and ties!

If you are an educator or parent, DO NOT read this book to children, and if you can, have it removed from the school library. It sets a terrible example for the children. Instead, read them "The Sneeches" by Dr. Seuss. It shows what really happens when you try to succeed based on your appearance alone!
11 people found this helpful
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a classic tale to share with your children

I love Babar as much for the pictures as for the story. When I read it again to my daughter, I turned to the page where "Alas, that very day, the King of the elephants had eaten a bad mushroom" and thought wow, I remember that! The resurging memory of that illustration is so keen in my mind, it's as if twenty-plus years had just fallen away. And next comes my very favorite line, for its old-fashioned text and neatness of phrase: "It poisoned him and he became ill, so ill that he died. This was a great calamity." Which is not to say that the story of Babar dwells on sad things, because it doesn't. Whatever happens to Babar he deals with it with grace and moves on. Endlessly adaptable, this is an elephant who so charms the ladies that he woos and wins Celeste in just their brief drive home. The only sticking point for some parents who are encountering this book for the first time and therefore don't have their eyes all misting over with tender rememberances of their own childhood is that Babar is chosen to be the new king of the elephants because he is considered to have "learned so much living among men". If you are trying not to teach your children that humans are above and beyond all other animals, you may not want this subtle message. Overall, I think this book is wonderful and, at the end, when he and Celeste fly away in a hot air balloon to begin their honeymoon, it is clear that the story continues. This can be taken in the vein of allowing for endless opportunity of sequels but I prefer to think of it as the beginning of your child's opportunity to answer "what happens next" and regale you with their own series of stories about the adventures of Babar, the little elephant.
11 people found this helpful
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Babar: not for kids

I just rest this for the first time tonight to our young son, and it will be the last time I do. How is this book considered a classic?! A baby elephant watches his mother get shot, another elephant is poisoned and dies, and then Babar marries his cousin. There is no story here, just disturbing messages. Pass on this one!
10 people found this helpful
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mommy gets killed, kiddo gets fancy new duds, and one elephant eats mushroom and dies

Uh, classic or not, I don't care for this book. It's yet another kill the mom book -just lioke all the disney stuff starts out. I don't think this is a good choice for today's wee ones. This is NOT what I'd choose to read at bedtime with my kids at all.
9 people found this helpful

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