In the second Babar story, Babar and Celeste set off in a balloon, beginning an exciting series of adventures. Escaping from savage cannibals, only...
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reviews
Jan 29, 2012
Fatty
rated it: 
It is a strange thing to revisit the books that so captivated my childhood imagination as a grown woman presenting them to my own children. The delight I once felt in the characters and situations comes to me now in echoes, memories of the ways the stories used to affect me, tempered now by an adult faculty for critical thought. As I reread Babar's first story to my (nearly) two year olds, I was surprised to find a capitalist imperialist message lurking in the "civilization" of Babar t
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Oct 31, 2010
Suzanne
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 30, 2011
Eli
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Wow. I read this book to my son (who luckily is still too young to understand) and was shocked by the overt racism. Encountering "savage cannibals" drawn with dark brown skin and big red circular mouths, Babar and Celeste escape by the skin of their teeth. I understand this book is a product of its time (published in the 30's), but definitely not something I would consider appropriate for parents who are seeking to foster tolerance and acceptance in their children.
Jun 12, 2010
Travis
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When Babar, that well dressed king of the elephants and his new bride, Celeste take a balloon trip for their honeymoon they spend a couple minutes admiring the scenery before landing on a desert island populated by savage, politically incorrect natives.
They escape from that and get home just as the rhinos declare war on the elephants.
With help from his family and friends, Babar brings peace back to Africa.
I loved the Babar books as a kid and they still have a lot of char More...
They escape from that and get home just as the rhinos declare war on the elephants.
With help from his family and friends, Babar brings peace back to Africa.
I loved the Babar books as a kid and they still have a lot of char More...
Sep 02, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
Two elephants go on a honeymoon in a hot air balloon, are marooned on an island with cannibals, forgotten on a coral reef by Mrs. Whale, held captive by a ships captain, forced to perform in a circus...all leading up to a return to a elephant kingdom at war with the rhinosaurusi. Really? I ask myself why this is a classic. I don't have an answer.
Mar 03, 2010
Raja99
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I'm pretty sure I had this book as a child and read it numerous times. It may be my favorite of the Babar books by the elder de Brunhoff; it's got a lively plot, vivid illustrations, and even manages an anti-war message that isn't overbearing.
Aug 02, 2011
a childhood favorite, which I read to my own children, in hoped that they will read to their children
May 26, 2010
Joy
rated it: 
Level: Primary-Intermediate
Babar and Celeste go on a trip and are captured and sold to a circus.
Babar and Celeste go on a trip and are captured and sold to a circus.
Jul 30, 2011
Benjamin
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I don't remember the details of this specific story, but I liked Babar OK.
Oct 08, 2008
Stven
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Second in the Babar series and also remembered from Best in Children's Books. There is something sublime about the simplicity and imagination of these stories.
Nov 24, 2007
Slightly bizarre and always surprising, the Babar books have a lot of text and therefore are good for a French beginner.
Feb 11, 2012
