The story of Babar, the little elephant

by Jean de Brunhoff

47 pages

English language

Published Dec. 1, 2002 by Random House.

ISBN:: 978-0-394-80575-7

(11 reviews)

An orphaned baby elephant goes to live in the city with an old lady who gives him everything he wants, but he eventually returns to the forest where he is crowned king of the elephants.

12 editions

Jessie reviewed The story of Babar, the little elephant by Jean de Brunhoff

Review of 'The story of Babar, the little elephant' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Cute drawings of elephants, and I can see why this story was once very appealing to children, but I find the implication that an elephant from Africa should "better" himself by joining English society, wearing English clothes, and learning from an English school teacher, so that he can return to Africa and rule over the elephants (who are, of course, happy to have him as a leader) deeply troubling. Also, he marries his cousin. They definitely glossed over that in the TV version I watched as a kid.