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Summary: If I were king of the foreeeeest
Review: Thank God for the French speakers of the world. Were it not for them, Babar might not have ever been created and we would have to live in a wretched Babar-less world. As it is, however, we are blessed to have this delightful story at our fingertips at any time. The story of Babar was originally published in 1933, and it has stood the test of time with dignity and flair.The story of Babar is simple. After his mother is shot by a cruel hunter, the little elephant runs away to a metropolitan city. Once there, he is taken under the wing of a kindly older lady. Babar then proceeds to become the greatest dandy of children's literature today. Here is the section I love the most: "Babar then buys himself: A shirt with a collar and tie, a suit of a becoming shade of green, then a handsome derby hat, and also shoes with spats". Contrary to popular thought, an elephant in spats is the most dignified thing in the world. With these purchases Babar has transformed himself from rural rube to the original metrosexual. He becomes cultured, learning the rudimentary aspects of human civilization while regaling party guests with his tales of the forest (note his pin-striped pants and casual dinner jacket). Eventually Babar is lured back to his jungle home and is swiftly crowned King of the elephants. The 1933 setting in which Babar acclimatizes himself has grown more charming over the years. And most remarkably? Most older picture books contain at least one racial stereotype somewhere in the midst of a picture. Not so our darling "Babar". I feel safe in saying that you might search through any future adventure of the winsome elephant and not stumble across a single picture or piece of writing that causes you a twenty-first century gasp of disgust. This isn't to say that there aren't some rather peculiar dated aspects to the book. I read this book as a child and had a vivid visceral memory return to me when I saw the sickly state of the former King of the elephants who passed away after eating a bad mushroom. That is a grotesquerie unknown to the kiddies today. But all in all, "Babar" is without fault. Certainly he's the essence of capitalism. One might believe the elephants crown him king as much for his pretty red convertible as for his brains. But Babar is still a unique and moving tale that will continue to entertain the masses of children for years and years to come.
Rating: 
Summary: The cutest elephant around
Review: The stories of Babar and his family are so endearing. I love him when he's king. Check out the cartoons, too!
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Summary: This book is great -- it is sad with a happy ending
Review: This book is about an elephant's travels after the death of his mother-- his search for independence and his return home. He takes what he has learned on his travels and offers it to the other animals in the forest. The book teaches that you can overcome aversity and make good things happen by working hard. Babar gets beyond the death of his mother by going to the city, studying and by learning how to act in society. I like the book because it is well written and has excellent pictures. It also has a strong message and teaches you a lot about the ways of the world. I also like the way that elephants are used to teach the message. ---- Makki Russo (Age 7)----
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Summary: The best thing since sliced bread...
Review: This captivating tale of how a young elephant overcame obstacles and prejudice kept me on the very edge of my seat the entire time. De Brunhoff's mastery of the literary terms created a real page-turner that I could not put down!
Rating:
Summary: The best thing since sliced bread...
Review: This captivating tale of how a young elephant overcame obstacles and prejudice kept me on the very edge of my seat the entire time. De Brunhoff's mastery of the literary terms created a real page-turner that I could not put down!
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Summary: Sentimental favorite
Review: This was a childhood favorite of mine. It¹s a poignant, charming book that warms my heart. I hope every child reads it
Rating: 
Summary: pretty scary for a young child
Review: We all know how nice it is to share a book from our own youth with our child. But take time out to re-read Babar as an adult -use your adult judgement, apply your morals and beliefs to this book. You will not need to dig very deep to see that this story is based on unabashed imperialism. It is, in fact, offensive. I am not saying that you should not go ahead and read it to your child. But do have a discussion with him or her about what Babar learns from the lady, his relationship with his mother and his bride. As for myself, I am just not buying this one.
Rating:
Summary: Reconsidering the classics
Review: We all know how nice it is to share a book from our own youth with our child. But take time out to re-read Babar as an adult -use your adult judgement, apply your morals and beliefs to this book. You will not need to dig very deep to see that this story is based on unabashed imperialism. It is, in fact, offensive. I am not saying that you should not go ahead and read it to your child. But do have a discussion with him or her about what Babar learns from the lady, his relationship with his mother and his bride. As for myself, I am just not buying this one.
Rating:
Summary: imperialist propaganda for the kiddies
Review: We received this book as a gift for our 3 yr old. I read it to her and it was really disturbing. Other reviews have noted that it must be read "in context" as far as the time it was written. I disagree - when was a child's viewing a mother's brutal murder (Babar seeing his mother being shot before his eyes) ever appropriate fare for a little child? Then, Babar has to run for his life and later on in the book, there is another death. Also, Babar is surprised when his cousins have no clothes - this is upsetting to him. I find it offensive - elephants don't need to be like people - they don't need clothes. I don't see the charm in this book at all. I don't see the attraction. One thing -- Babar marrying his cousin is the one thing that is not shocking - its not like incest, like brother and sister or like they grew up together -- people have been marrying cousins for thousands of years - up until at least the beginning of this century - hardly immoral.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing...
Review: We received this book as a gift for our 3 yr old. I read it to her and it was really disturbing. Other reviews have noted that it must be read "in context" as far as the time it was written. I disagree - when was a child's viewing a mother's brutal murder (Babar seeing his mother being shot before his eyes) ever appropriate fare for a little child? Then, Babar has to run for his life and later on in the book, there is another death. Also, Babar is surprised when his cousins have no clothes - this is upsetting to him. I find it offensive - elephants don't need to be like people - they don't need clothes. I don't see the charm in this book at all. I don't see the attraction. One thing -- Babar marrying his cousin is the one thing that is not shocking - its not like incest, like brother and sister or like they grew up together -- people have been marrying cousins for thousands of years - up until at least the beginning of this century - hardly immoral.
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