Laurent de Brunhoff

Laurent de Brunhoff (1925-2024) was a French-American author and illustrator who dedicated much of his life to continuing the beloved Babar the Elephant series originally created by his father, Jean de Brunhoff. After his father's death in 1937, Laurent took up the mantle and went on to create over 45 Babar books, maintaining the series' distinctive artistic style while developing his own creative voice. The Babar story began as a bedtime tale told by Laurent's mother Cécile to him and his brother when they were young children. His father Jean transformed the oral story into the first Babar book in 1931, establishing the visual style and world of the famous elephant king that Laurent would later expand upon. Following his studies at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, Laurent published his first Babar book, Babar's Cousin: That Rascal Arthur, in 1946. He continued producing Babar stories for over six decades, carefully evolving the series while preserving its core themes of family, wisdom, and adventure. Laurent de Brunhoff's contribution to children's literature extends beyond just continuing his father's work. His illustrations and storytelling brought Babar to new generations of readers, earning him recognition as a significant figure in his own right in the realm of children's literature.

Parents and children report strong nostalgic connections to the Babar books, with many reviewers sharing memories of reading them across generations. Readers appreciate: - The detailed, vibrant illustrations that children can study for hours - Gentle storytelling that respects young readers' intelligence - Consistent art style and character personalities across decades - Educational elements woven naturally into stories - The balance of adventure with family values Common criticisms: - Some colonial/dated elements in older books make readers uncomfortable - Later books in the series feel more commercialized - Text can be too dense for very young children - Some story elements feel repetitive across books Ratings across platforms: Amazon: Average 4.5/5 across Babar titles Goodreads: Most titles rate 3.8-4.2/5 One parent wrote: "These books taught my children about friendship and courage without being preachy." A critical review noted: "The charm is there but the stories could use more editing for modern attention spans."

Babar's Museum of Art - Babar and Celeste transform an old train station into an art museum featuring elephant recreations of famous masterpieces, introducing young readers to iconic works of art through familiar characters.

Babar's Cousin: That Rascal Arthur - Babar's young cousin Arthur arrives at the palace and stirs up mischief, establishing a beloved recurring character in the series.

Babar's ABC - The elephant king teaches the alphabet through colorful illustrations and simple scenarios in his kingdom.

Babar and The Ghost - Babar investigates mysterious occurrences in his castle while teaching children about courage and problem-solving.

Babar's Little Girl - Chronicles the arrival and early adventures of Flora, Babar and Celeste's youngest daughter.

Babar's Yoga for Elephants - Babar demonstrates yoga poses adapted for elephants, combining exercise with the series' characteristic humor.

Babar's Guide to Paris - Babar shares his knowledge of Paris as he tours the city with his family, highlighting famous landmarks and French culture.

Babar and His Children - Depicts the early days of Babar and Celeste's family life with their three young children.

Babar Loses His Crown - Follows Babar's adventure through Paris as he searches for his missing crown while touring the city.

Maurice Sendak Created intricate, fantastical worlds in picture books that blend reality with imagination, similar to Babar's universe. His work deals with complex emotions and family relationships through animal characters, as seen in Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen.

Arnold Lobel Wrote and illustrated stories about animal friends with gentle wisdom and everyday adventures, like the Frog and Toad series. His characters navigate friendship and life lessons in ways that echo Babar's family-centered tales.

Ludwig Bemelmans Created the Madeline series set in Paris, combining European sensibilities with children's storytelling. His work shares the French cultural heritage and sophisticated artistic style found in the Babar books.

Hans Rey Developed the Curious George series about a monkey experiencing city life and modern civilization. His stories feature a similar dynamic between mentor and student as seen in the relationship between Babar and his family.

Margaret Wise Brown Wrote stories that combine everyday experiences with elements of fantasy and nature. Her work shares the same respect for children's perspectives and emotional understanding found in de Brunhoff's books.