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Babar #6
Babar and His Children
With the birth of triplets, King Babar and Queen Celeste experience the pleasures and pains of parenthood.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1938
3 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Jean de Brunhoff
293 books82 followersJean de Brunhoff was a French writer and illustrator known for co-creating Babar, which first appeared in 1931. The stories were originally told to their second son, Mathieu, when he was sick, by his wife Cecile de Brunhoff. After its first appearance, six more titles followed. He was the fourth and last child of Maurice de Brunhoff, a successful publisher, and his wife Marguerite. He attended Protestant schools, including the prestigious L'Ecole Alsacienne. Brunhoff joined the army and reached the front lines when World War I was almost over. Afterwards, he decided to be a professional artist and studied painting at Academie de la Grand Chamiere. He married Ceccile Sabourand, a talented pianist from a Catholic family, in 1924.
Brunhoff died of tuberculosis at the age of 37. After his death, Hachette bought the printing and publishing rights to the Babar series, and ten years later Jean's eldst son, Laurent, took on his late father's role of writing and illustrating the series. The first seven Babar albums were reprinted and millions of copies were sold all around the world, but they were all abridged; they had 30 pages instead of the original 48. The Babar books are thought to be a way for Brunhoff to share himself with his family. Many people did not notice the 10 year gap, as Laurent also showed exceptional talent in drawing elephants. De Brunhoff and his wife are buried in the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris.
Brunhoff died of tuberculosis at the age of 37. After his death, Hachette bought the printing and publishing rights to the Babar series, and ten years later Jean's eldst son, Laurent, took on his late father's role of writing and illustrating the series. The first seven Babar albums were reprinted and millions of copies were sold all around the world, but they were all abridged; they had 30 pages instead of the original 48. The Babar books are thought to be a way for Brunhoff to share himself with his family. Many people did not notice the 10 year gap, as Laurent also showed exceptional talent in drawing elephants. De Brunhoff and his wife are buried in the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 26, 2017
It was a very happy moment when I found this 1938 first edition in a charity shop today for £3 ! I had not seen this story before and was suprised how good it is.
It is one of the larger size books which I think are lovely for children to enjoy the illustrations. This edition has a wonderful crimson cover with Celeste reading a story with her family seated around her. The inside illustrations are wonderful too, lots of action, humour and wildlife.
Babar is awaiting the birth of his second child and has announced a cannon shot will signal the happy moment. Whilst out on a cycle ride Barbar hears the cannon fire. As he rushes back, the cannon fires twice more, he cannot understand why this happened but all is revealed when he reaches the nursery.
The rest of the story follows the first year of babyhood. There is a very funny comic strip double page where a baby swallows a rattle and Zephir the quick thinking monkey saves the day. Another funny accident that you can see coming involves nanny dashing back for a jersey leaving older brother Arthur pushing the perambulator in an area that looks very sloping with nearby cliffs. Further perils of a baby sailing in a bowler hat with a crocodile lurking nearby will have you on the edge of your seat and leave you wondering why Babar doesn't employ a more safety minded nanny, but in Celestville everything ends well, going back to the castle for some dry clothes and a hot drink.
It is one of the larger size books which I think are lovely for children to enjoy the illustrations. This edition has a wonderful crimson cover with Celeste reading a story with her family seated around her. The inside illustrations are wonderful too, lots of action, humour and wildlife.
Babar is awaiting the birth of his second child and has announced a cannon shot will signal the happy moment. Whilst out on a cycle ride Barbar hears the cannon fire. As he rushes back, the cannon fires twice more, he cannot understand why this happened but all is revealed when he reaches the nursery.
The rest of the story follows the first year of babyhood. There is a very funny comic strip double page where a baby swallows a rattle and Zephir the quick thinking monkey saves the day. Another funny accident that you can see coming involves nanny dashing back for a jersey leaving older brother Arthur pushing the perambulator in an area that looks very sloping with nearby cliffs. Further perils of a baby sailing in a bowler hat with a crocodile lurking nearby will have you on the edge of your seat and leave you wondering why Babar doesn't employ a more safety minded nanny, but in Celestville everything ends well, going back to the castle for some dry clothes and a hot drink.
November 21, 2018
Royal pachyderms Babar and Celeste become parents to triplets in this sixth original Babar picture-book from Jean de Brunhoff, originally published in 1938 as Babar en famille. As Babar paces and frets, finally going on a bicycle ride, the queen delivers not one, not two, but three little elephants, much to the joy of Babar, and all the other residents of Celesteville. Naming their offspring Alexander, Pom and Flora, the proud parents embark on an adventure of a different kind, finding that keeping their little ones safe - from rattles, cliffs and alligators - is a full-time job. Still, as Babar observes at the end, "how nice the babies are! I wouldn't know how to get along without them any more..."
I found this entry in the series quite amusing, although I suspect that this was not the intent of its creator. Some of the parenting issues felt rather outdated to me (not surprising given the publication date), but then, I also found some of the adventures rather sweet. The artwork is charming, as usual - I find de Brunhoff's stylized elephants quite appealing, visually speaking - and there is nothing to offend, as there was in The Travels of Babar . I'm still not a great Babar fan, but Babar and His Children, along with its direct predecessor, Babar and Zephir , seems like one of the better offerings, when it comes to this character.
I found this entry in the series quite amusing, although I suspect that this was not the intent of its creator. Some of the parenting issues felt rather outdated to me (not surprising given the publication date), but then, I also found some of the adventures rather sweet. The artwork is charming, as usual - I find de Brunhoff's stylized elephants quite appealing, visually speaking - and there is nothing to offend, as there was in The Travels of Babar . I'm still not a great Babar fan, but Babar and His Children, along with its direct predecessor, Babar and Zephir , seems like one of the better offerings, when it comes to this character.
Read
October 10, 2016I love these problematic elephants.
January 7, 2019
I’m trying to read more in French and found this for a quarter. Babar is king and has babies with his wife. Charming and excellent for practicing comprehension.
November 23, 2013
This book was for the kids and they liked it to bits they thought it was the best story ever.
March 25, 2021
#44 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and multi-year effort to get Goodreads to fix the Top Readers, etc. lists. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.
Now Babar is colonizing his wife. I am a tad concerned about the accidents for Alexander and Flora: I fear primogeniture encourages murder. Interesting how thoroughly Babar picked up a foreign culture and how quickly he's disseminated it, down to nuances like appropriate baby gifts. Wonder where one finds a perambulator on a scale to hold three toddler elephants, which is probably immediately after birth if they're still like quadrupeds and haven't become incapable humans with a little culture. Now I'm remembering why I didn't ever buy these.
Sometimes books are classics because they're good, and sometimes because they were just around, like the way I feel about decades of pop songs. I don't love them, I never did, but I do know the words and I will sing along in the car if I was not wise enough to make other arrangements.
Library copy
Now Babar is colonizing his wife. I am a tad concerned about the accidents for Alexander and Flora: I fear primogeniture encourages murder. Interesting how thoroughly Babar picked up a foreign culture and how quickly he's disseminated it, down to nuances like appropriate baby gifts. Wonder where one finds a perambulator on a scale to hold three toddler elephants, which is probably immediately after birth if they're still like quadrupeds and haven't become incapable humans with a little culture. Now I'm remembering why I didn't ever buy these.
Sometimes books are classics because they're good, and sometimes because they were just around, like the way I feel about decades of pop songs. I don't love them, I never did, but I do know the words and I will sing along in the car if I was not wise enough to make other arrangements.
Library copy
February 5, 2026
Je découvre Babar — pourtant un grand classique — à 44 ans. Comme quoi, il n’est jamais trop tard.
Dans ce livre, Babar et sa femme attendent l’arrivée d’un bébé. Babar est impatient et n’arrive à penser à rien d’autre. Mais le moment venu, tout est plein de surprises. Il arrive de nombreuses mésaventures à Babar et à sa famille, parfois un peu étranges, mais ma fille n’a pas tiqué.
Ce que j’ai moins aimé, c’est que Jean de Brunhoff utilise cette histoire pour présenter différents moments sans vraiment se soucier du fil narratif. Il s’agit davantage de scènes séparées qui, mises bout à bout, manquent de lien. Je préfère une histoire plus courte mais bien menée à une longue histoire dont la structure manque de solidité. Cela dit, ma fille, elle, ne semble pas avoir été dérangée par cet aspect.
Continuerons-nous à en lire ? Peut-être. L’avenir nous le dira.
Dans ce livre, Babar et sa femme attendent l’arrivée d’un bébé. Babar est impatient et n’arrive à penser à rien d’autre. Mais le moment venu, tout est plein de surprises. Il arrive de nombreuses mésaventures à Babar et à sa famille, parfois un peu étranges, mais ma fille n’a pas tiqué.
Ce que j’ai moins aimé, c’est que Jean de Brunhoff utilise cette histoire pour présenter différents moments sans vraiment se soucier du fil narratif. Il s’agit davantage de scènes séparées qui, mises bout à bout, manquent de lien. Je préfère une histoire plus courte mais bien menée à une longue histoire dont la structure manque de solidité. Cela dit, ma fille, elle, ne semble pas avoir été dérangée par cet aspect.
Continuerons-nous à en lire ? Peut-être. L’avenir nous le dira.
June 11, 2024
3,5 étoiles (3/10 cœurs). J’adore absolument l’émission télévisée “Babar,” mais je ne connais pas vraiment bien les livres, même si j’en ai lu quelques-uns quand j’étais enfant. Ils sont destinés aux enfants assez jeunes, donc ils sont quelque peu ridicules ; mais la personnalité des personnages ressort quand même, et les illustrations sont plutôt mignonnes, et l'écriture est assez sympa. Ce ne sont pas mes préférés, mais c’est quelque chose que j’aimerais que mes enfants apprécient.
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3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). I absolutely adore the “Babar” TV show but don’t actually know the books well, though I read a few as a kid. They’re for quite small children, so they’re somewhat ludicrous; but the personality of the characters comes through still, and the illustrations are rather cute, and the writing is nice enough. They’re not my favourite, but they’re something I’d have for my kids to enjoy.
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3.5 stars (3/10 hearts). I absolutely adore the “Babar” TV show but don’t actually know the books well, though I read a few as a kid. They’re for quite small children, so they’re somewhat ludicrous; but the personality of the characters comes through still, and the illustrations are rather cute, and the writing is nice enough. They’re not my favourite, but they’re something I’d have for my kids to enjoy.
March 3, 2017
Babar and Celeste are terrible parents.
December 21, 2024
Published in 1938. Maybe the stupidity of the new parents was meant to be laughed at and serve as a warning:
It’s stupid to give kids choking hazards to play with (one kid nearly chokes to death); it’s stupid to use a stroller, as they’re unwieldy and dangerous (one kid goes flying over a cliff); it’s stupid to put a child in a body of water (one kid floats off down a river and is nearly eaten by a crocodile); it’s stupid to feed infants artificial baby milk (it turns kids into “fat and greedy” stupid elephants):
>>Every week, Dr. Capoulosse put the babies in his big scale and weighs them. One day he says to Celeste: “Your Majesty, the babies aren’t gaining fast enough any more. You must supplement their feeding with six bottles of cow’s milk, to which you must add a tablespoonful of honey.”<<
Google tells me Capoulosse means “loose head”.
Indeed.
It’s stupid to give kids choking hazards to play with (one kid nearly chokes to death); it’s stupid to use a stroller, as they’re unwieldy and dangerous (one kid goes flying over a cliff); it’s stupid to put a child in a body of water (one kid floats off down a river and is nearly eaten by a crocodile); it’s stupid to feed infants artificial baby milk (it turns kids into “fat and greedy” stupid elephants):
>>Every week, Dr. Capoulosse put the babies in his big scale and weighs them. One day he says to Celeste: “Your Majesty, the babies aren’t gaining fast enough any more. You must supplement their feeding with six bottles of cow’s milk, to which you must add a tablespoonful of honey.”<<
Google tells me Capoulosse means “loose head”.
Indeed.
September 28, 2021
Veľmi pekný príbeh o Babarovi, jeho manželke Celestýne a ich novonarodeniatkach.
Knihu som kúpila keďže som hľadala čosi pre rok a pol starého synovca, ale keďže Babara som v detstve milovala :D tak to má dopredu kúpené i pre jeho staršiu sestru. :) Veľmi krásne ilustrácie podľa pôvodnej rozprávky krásny text, len tým písaným písmom som si neni trochu istá. Deti sa učia čítať tlačené pre malú slovenku bolo toto trošku ťažšie.
Inak sa všetkým knižka veľmi páčila.
Knihu som kúpila keďže som hľadala čosi pre rok a pol starého synovca, ale keďže Babara som v detstve milovala :D tak to má dopredu kúpené i pre jeho staršiu sestru. :) Veľmi krásne ilustrácie podľa pôvodnej rozprávky krásny text, len tým písaným písmom som si neni trochu istá. Deti sa učia čítať tlačené pre malú slovenku bolo toto trošku ťažšie.
Inak sa všetkým knižka veľmi páčila.
December 2, 2022
Lapsi on kovasti tykästynyt Babariin ja itsekin tykkään lukea niitä. Ihan kaikki jutut eivät ole säilyneet tuoreena 2020-luvulle ja kirjat ovat ehdottomasti oman aikansa kuvia. Erityisesti kuvitus on viehättävä, mutta tarinat ovat aina vähän niin ja näin. Tässä kirjassa Babar ja Seleste saavat kerralla kolme lasta, Loren, Pomin ja Alexanderin. Lasten kasvatus on ilmeisen kovaa puuhaa, vaikka aika ison osan siitä hoitaakin lastenhoitaja.
September 10, 2018
Ages: 5 - 9
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**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!
Visit my website!
March 4, 2023
Queen Celeste gives birth to THREE little baby elephants. What a surprise. Welcome Pom, Flora, and Alexander into the world!
Alexander, in particular, has quite some adventures.
Babar adjusts in his own everyman way to becoming a father. Sometimes he acts like a regular human guy, other times he and Celeste act all King-and-Queenly.
Altogether, between these covers there has been an entire child-sized novel.
Alexander, in particular, has quite some adventures.
Babar adjusts in his own everyman way to becoming a father. Sometimes he acts like a regular human guy, other times he and Celeste act all King-and-Queenly.
Altogether, between these covers there has been an entire child-sized novel.
January 15, 2026
While I found this book to be nostalgic I would not place this book within my classroom. It incorporated some moments that I thought were a bit too intense for young children. For example there is a moment where Babar’s baby daughter chokes on her rattle, which I thought was very random and did not flow with the rest of the story.
June 12, 2017
Babar is a product of its (british colonialist, racist, sexist) time. I shouldn't hold that against it. But having the chickens show up at Babar's baby shower bearing, as a gift for the new family, baskets of their own eggs.... that is strongly fucked up
July 2, 2019
I loved this book as a child and still think it is great, but I was disappointed by the new translation in this edition. Instead of the funny "Alessander's gone bump!" they had a feeble call for mummy. Shame on you publishers!
February 28, 2025
This is a wonderful book for all ages! It shows the values of helpfulness and unselfishness, family sacrifice, and multi-age families. Only, the medical advice is wrong: don't give honey to children under 2!
November 27, 2019
I like this book because Babar thought he was gonna have A baby, but instead he had 3 instead of 1. And the cannon went 1, 2, 3, and Babar was worried, so he rushed home.
THE END
THE END
August 21, 2020
Babar’s and Celeste’s triplets arrive on the scene. Of course, there is eventually some mischief!
October 5, 2020
To Come
February 14, 2021
I forgot how short these are!
March 9, 2022
This one take me back to my childhood when I watched the series. I think that is a good children book that not matter how much time passed away, would be enjoy it.
August 18, 2023
Very interesting story about Babar's family life. reminds me of my three kids: 1 girl and 2 boys. The youngest was always in trouble like Alexander.
May 21, 2024
Babar balancing the challenge of being a King and the father of multiple children.
December 3, 2024
Top tier Babar.
December 24, 2024
Babar and babies, probably the best in terms of a lack of colonial vibes but just kinda boring otherwise, still nice pictures tho
December 30, 2020
Children’s Classic
March 16, 2022
This was a fun book to read. Babar's family is expanded by three and we get to watch the early stages of their growing up. Of course the children do at times get up to mischief, and cause problems for Babar, but they really don't mean to do so. It is just part of growing up. I enjoyed their escapades. As well it was interesting to see Cornelius unwinding so to speak. All in all this is a delightful book to add to your young one's library. Happy reading.
February 25, 2017
Not a Babar fan...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews