Babar the Elephant

The elephant Babar is the hero of a children's book series. For the first time he appeared in Jean de L' Histoire de Babar Brunhoffs book of 1931 ( in German as The Story of Babar, the little elephant appeared ). It is based on a story that Jean de Brunhoffs wife Cécile has come up with for their children. Inspired at least the name of the title character by the trained elephant Baba who was presented in the first half of the 19th century European fairs as " feasting eLePhAnt ".

Until his death in 1937 de Brunhoff published seven Babar stories. Then, his son Laurent continued the series. The stories inspired several television and animated series and cartoons.

The Story of Babar, the little elephant

After the murder of his mother by hunters Babar lands in a city. There he takes an old woman under her wing and educates him like a human child. As a young man he returned to the jungle. As the old king of the elephants died of mushroom poisoning, Babar takes his place. He makes his cousin Celeste to the queen. He founds the city Celesteville where the elephants live according to the model of human civilization.

Important people are the monkey Zephir, Babar's advisors Cornelius and Pompadour, his cousin Arthur and his children Flora, Pom and Alexander. Even the old lady comes to Celesteville. Babar's opponent is Rataxes, king of the warlike rhinoceroses.

Criticism

On the part of Radio Free Berlin stated: The Babar stories are classic. Jean de Brunhoff can capture an inimitable manner, with very few strokes moods or enliven everyday places distinctive. Ingenious ideas, skill, intelligence and imagination, patience and confidence, these are the good spirits, master with whom Babar and his friends life model for all children.

However, the books can also be interpreted as a justification of colonialism. Herbert R. Kohl and Vivian Paley they considered morally questionable. Ariel Dorfman saw the independence of the country of elephants an anticipation of the development of colonialism.

Jean de Brunhoff and his son Laurent wrote and illustrated Babar following books:

Jean de Brunhoff:

Histoire de Babar (1931 ) - German Title: The Story of Babar, the little elephant
Le Voyage de Babar (1932 ) - German Title: Babar on Travel
Le Roi Babar (1933 ) - German Title: King Babar
L' ABC de Babar (1934 ) - German Title: Babar's ABC
Les vacances de Zéphir (1936 ) - German Title: Zephyr 's Holiday
Babar en famille (1938 ) - German Title: Family Babar
Babar et le père Noël (1941 ) - German Title: Babar and Father Christmas

Laurent de Brunhoff:

Babar et ce coquin d' Arthur (1948 )
Pique - nique chez Babar (1949 )
Babar dans l' Ile aux oiseaux (1952 )
La fête à Celesteville (1954 )
Babar et le professeur Grifaton (1956 )
Le château de Babar (1961 )
Je parle anglais avec Babar (1963 )
Je parle anglais avec Babar (1966 )
Je parle espagnol avec Babar (1966 )
Babar à New York ( 1966)

Musical settings

The story of the first Babar book was set to music by Francis Poulenc. First, in the years 1940-1945 was a version for narrator and piano. In 1959 the piece was orchestrated by Jean Françaix.