The story of Babar and his family was created in Paris by Cecile de Brunhoff as a bedtime story for her two young boys.  The boys were so enthralled that they repeated the story to their father, an artist, Jean de Brunhoff.  He decided to expand on the story and illustrate it in a book.  The Story of Babar, detailing Babar's sad start in life after witnessing the murder of his mother by a hunter was published in Paris in 1931.  Luckily for Babar, he wanders into Paris where he is befriended by the kind Old Lady who pampers and spoils him and introduces him to some of the finer things in life.  Mr. de Brunhoff is often considered the father of modern children's picture books and his first book was immediately popular.  Sadly, he was only able to complete 7 more books as he died at the young age of 38 in 1937.  Happily, his son Laurent, a talented young artist, continued the story in 1946 at the age of 20.  He continues the story of Babar to this day and has written and illustrated over 30 books.  Babar, his queen Celeste, their 4 children, cousin Arthur, the wonderfully wrinkled Cornelius, Zephir the monkey and many more friends have traveled the globe in a variety vehicles and have even explored outer space!  Over seventy years since the first book was published, the stories have been published all over the world in several languages.  Babar's hometown Celesteville has expodentially grown over the years and is populated by elephants from all walks of life. In 2006, Babar even began yoga to ensure he'll forever remain in our hearts!  Laurant currently lives in the US.  Generations have loved Babar's adventures in his classic green suit and black bowler hat and grandparents are able to share their childhood memories with their grand children.  What a wonderful way to share books and create a love of reading in children!

     Many wonderful Babar products and collectibles have been created over the years.  There are plush toys, bedding, baby toys, children's clothing, books, coloring books, art activities, music boxes, snow globes, lunch boxes, dishes, stationary, fast food toys and MUCH, MUCH more!  Some of the most wonderful items are wooden toys made in France, such as cars, banks and my personal favorite: a rocking "horse."  Babar also enjoys an impressive popularity in Japan and many unusual items can be found there.  France issued a wonderful postage stamp honoring Babar's  75th anniversary.  Nelvana produced an animated series for HBO in 1987.  The current value of a first edition Story of Babar in very good or better condition is $3,800!  If only I had THAT in my collection, ooh-la-la!

    I have been charmed by Babar since I was 6 years old, when I was given a tiny boxed set of books titled Babar's Book Mobile.  I began a collection of Babar items in 1994 after my parents, straight from Paris, rushed to the birth of my first child and presented her with a small Babar plush toy.  When I joined eBay in 1997, I easily won Babar items as I had little competion.  Things have sure changed, and of course there are not many Babar items I don't own!  One of my favorite items is my t-shirt featuring Babar and family in their car with the words "JUNK IN THE TRUNK."  It definitely suits me!  My favorite book is Babar and Father Christmas.  It is so charming and wonderfully illustrated.  I was thrilled when I accquired limited edition plush toys of Babar and Celeste's Winter Holiday, dressed in their ice skating finery.  I also found a plush Babar dressed as Father Christmas, complete with his sack of toys ready to be delivered to children all over the world!.  They were the perfect gifts for my daughter's first Christmas, even though she was not quite 2 months old in 1994!

    Currently, my family is downsizing our many collections and trying to simplify and organize.  Many of my Babar items are for sale.  I don't have many listed, but feel free to contact me if you are looking for a specific item.  There's a good chance I have it!  I'll happily list requested items on eBay.

    Babar continues to become more and more collectible.  In 1992 an avid collector of Babar, John L. Boonshaft, donated his extensive collection of books and artifact to the library at Kent State University.  It is available for public viewing and is permanently housed in the Babar Room of the Department of Special Collections.  What a tribute to the world's most famous and beloved elephant!

     I hope you'll introduce Babar to your children and grandchildren.  They are sure to be captivated for life!

Partial bibliography:

Jean de Brunhoff Books

• A.B.C. of Babar, New York: Random House, 1936.
• Babar and Father Christmas. New York: Random House, 1940.
• Babar and His Children, New York: Random House, 1938.
• Babar the King. New York: Harrison Smith and Robert Haas, 1935.
• Babar's Anniversary Album. New York: Random House, 1981.
• The Story of Babar. New York: Harrison Smith and Robert Haas, 1934.
• The Travels of Babar. New York: Harrison Smith and Robert Haas, 1934.
• Zephir's Holidays. New York: Random House, 1937.

Laurent de Brunhoff Books

• Anatole and His Donkey. New York: Macmillan, 1963.
• A tue-tete. Paris: Juillard, 1957.
• Babar Comes to America. New York: Random House, 1965.
• Babar and the Ghost. East to Read Edition. New York: Random House, 1986.
• Babar and the Ghost. East to Read Edition. New York: Random House, 1986.
• Babar in History, Calendar for 1991. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1990.
• Babar in Hollywood, Calendar for 1990. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1989.
• Babar Learns to Cook. New York: Random House, 1967.
• Babor Loses His Crown. New York: Random House, 1967.
• Babar the Magician. New York: Random House, 1980.
• Babar and the Professor. New York: Random House, 1957.
• Babar and the Succotash Bird. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2000.
• Babar Saves the Day. New York: Random House, 1976.
• Babar Visits Another Planet. New York: Random House, 1972.
• Babar and the Wully-Wully. New York: Random House, 1975.
• Babar's A.B.C. New York: Random House, 1983.
• Babar and the Wully-Wully. New York: Random House, 1975.
• Babar's A.B.C. New York: Random House, 1983
• Babar's Adventures, Calendar for 1988. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1988.
• Babar's Anniversary Album. New York: Random House, 1981.
• Babar's Birthday Surprise. New York: Random House, 1970
• Babar's Book of Color. New YOrk: Random House, 1984.
• Babar's Bookmobile. New York: Random House, 1974.
• Babar's Busy Year. New York: Random House, 1989.
• Babar's Castle. New York: Random House, 1962.
• Babar's Counting Book. New York: Random House, 1986.
• Babar's Cousin: That Rascal Arthur. New York: Random House, 1948.
• Babar's Fair. New York: Random House, 1955.
• Babar's French Lessons. New York: Random House, 1963.
• Babar's Games. New York: Random House, 1968.
• Babar's Little Circus Star. New York: Random House, 1988.
• Babar's Little Library. New York: Random House, 1980
• Babar's Moon Trip. New York: Random House, 1969.
• Babar's Mystery. New York: Random House, 1978.
• Babar's Other Trunk. New York: Random House, 1971.
• Babar's Picnic. New York: Random House, 1949.
• Babar's Spanish Lesson. New York: Random House, 1965.
• Babar's Trunk. New York: Random House, 1969.
• Babar's Visit to Bird Island. New York: Random House, 1952.
• Bonhomme. New York: Pantheon, 1965.
• Bonhomme and the Huge Beast. New York: Pantheon, 1974.
• Captain Serafina. Cleveland: World Publishing Co., 1963.
• "Christmas witih Babar & Baby Isabelle." Woman's Day, 22 December, 1987.
• Gregory and the Lady Turtle in the Valley of the Music Trees. New York: Pantheon, 1971.
• Isabelle's New Friend. New York: Random House, 1990.
• Meet Babar and His Family. New York: Random House, 1973.
• The One Pig with Horns. New York: Pantheon, 1979.
• Serafina the Giraffe. Cleveland: World Publishing Co., 1961.
• Serafina's Lucky Find. Cleveland: World Publishing Co., 1962.