Babar

Babar is a fictional elephant and the central character in a French children's book series created by Jean de Brunhoff and later continued by Laurent de Brunhoff.

Babar is a fictional elephant and the central character in a French children's book series created by Jean de Brunhoff and later continued by Laurent de Brunhoff. The character first appeared in 1931 in *L'Histoire de Babar, le petit éléphant* (The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant), which became the first book in a long-running series.

Origins

Babar began as a bedtime story created by Cécile de Brunhoff for her children. Jean de Brunhoff then illustrated and expanded the tale into the first published Babar book in 1931.

Plot and character

The first story follows an orphaned young elephant whose mother is killed by hunters, after which he travels to the city, learns from human society, and eventually returns to the jungle to become king.

Publishing history

Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated the early Babar books, and the series was later continued by his son Laurent de Brunhoff. The books were widely translated and remained popular internationally.

Adaptations and legacy

Babar expanded beyond books into animated media and became one of the best-known children’s characters of the 20th century. The character remains associated with classic picture-book illustration and international children’s literature.