Babar the Elephant

Babar the Elephant is a fictional character who first appeared in The Story of Babar by Jean de Brunhoff. The Story of Babar, based on a tale de Brunhoff's wife had invented for their children, tells of a young elephant called Babar who leaves the jungle and visits a big city, and returns to bring the benefits of civilisation to his fellow elephants. The book has many sequels telling of the further adventures of Babar and his family and friends.

Story of Babar

Babar was the King of the Elephants and Babar's mother was killed by hunters, and he was brought up by an Old Lady in Paris, but eventually returned to the Elephant realm following the death of the previous King, who had eaten some poisonous mushroom. He married his cousin, Celeste, and founded the city of Celesteville. Babar, who tends to wear a bright green suit, introduced western civilization to the elephants, and caused them to dress in western attire.

Among Babar's other associates are the monkey Zephir, the old elephant counsellor Cornelius, his cousin Arthur, and his children, Flora, Pom, and Alexander.

Besides his westernizing policies, Babar has also engaged in warfare with the rival Rhinoceroses.

Babar's Books

Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated seven Babar books; the series was continued by his son Laurent.

Jean de Brunhoff's Babar books were:

• Histoire de Babar (1931)
• Le Voyage de Babar (1932)
• Le Roi Babar (1933)
• L'ABC de Babar (1934)
• Les vacances de Zéphir (1936)
• Babar en famille (1938)
• Babar et le père Noël (1941)

The Babar stories are popular around the world. They have inspired musical works by Francis Poulenc and Raphael Mostel, and an animated television series by Nelvana.