The Story of Babar

About Jean De Brunhoff

Jean de Brunhoff (1899-1937) is considered to be one of the greatest picture book authors in history.

Babar began as a story told by his wife, Cécile de Brunhoff, to their two young sons, Laurent and Mathieu, of a little elephant whose mother is shot by hunters and then moves to Paris in search of a new home. The boys so loved the story they asked their father Jean, an artist, to create some drawings of the elephant he named Babar.  The first Babar book, The Story of Babar was published in France in 1931 and was an instant success and Jean de Brunhoff went on to write 6 more Babar books.

After his untimely death in at the early age of 37 his son Laurent continued writing and illustrating the tales of Babar which now includes numerous books, films and an animated television series.

Babar celebrates his 80th Anniversary in November 2012 which will be marked by the publication of a new title, Babar's Celesteville Games, inspired by the Olympics.  The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris will run an exhibition featuring Babar memoribillia and there will be a new animated television series on Disney TV.