Reviews (2)

New Cover, Same Histoire Parfait
Hachette has republished l'Histoire de Babar in hardback. This has a new cover (not the red with Babar holding the sign with the title on it). The new cover features Babar driving his car. The illustrations and original Brunhoff French text in cursive script are still there. I will take this wonderful tale in any cover I can find, thank you very much.

A wonderful classic for any age
In this book, the first in the Babar series, we hear the tale of the experiences that shaped the the young and adventurous Babar during his formative years, culminating with his being crowned King of the Elephants.

The Babar books contain some of the most charming and entertaining drawings and storylines of any children's books ever written. Proof is that as one grows older, their appeal seems to grow rather than diminish. Although great in any language, Babar is best of all in its original French. The text is simple enough that even those with only a modest French reading level should be able to enjoy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

How did elephants get their trunks? This imaginative tale offers up a most fantastical answer“Hippopotamus!” little elephant called.“Yes, little elephant, what can I do for you?”“Excuse me, please, but could you tell me what the crocodile eats for dinner?”Here is a story that takes place a long time ago, before elephants had trunks for noses . . . One day a very special elephant comes along—an unusually curious elephant—and she has an important question that she needs answered. Little does she know her question will lead to an amazing discovery.This vibrant retelling of one of Rudyard Kipling’s beloved Just-So Stories is sure to be appreciated and enjoyed by young children. And don’t miss the fantastic gatefold where little elephant’s nose gets stretched from bump to trunk! ... Read more

Book Description

Based on characters created by Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff

Every child dreams of the perfect gift for his or her mother!

Babar's four children each want to give their mother, Celeste, the perfect present. Pom makes a clay bowl, Flora buys a tiny glass horse, and Alexander selects a shiny, silver balloon. But Isabelle just can't think of a gift for her mother. It takes a consultation with her favorite advisor--her father, Babar--to get her creative juices flowing and lead her to the perfect present, one that comes straight from the heart. ... Read more

Book Description

Babar, now available in board book format!
Introduce our world-famous friend to the youngest readers with Abrams' new Babar baby board books. Children will want to read and share them time and again.

This family-time adventure follows Babar, Celeste, and their family as they prepare for a trip. But where are they going? ... Read more

Book Description

Pom, Flora, and Alexander discover a rare Wully-Wully and bring him home to Celesteville. The lovable creature has a wonderful time playing with the little elephants and their friends. But there's trouble afoot when Rataxes the rhinoceros grabs the Wully-Wully to be his own pet. Can Rataxes learn to share, or will there be war between rhinos and elephants?

Originally published in 1975, Babar and the Wully-Wully teaches young readers that sharing with others brings new friends and fun. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another wonderful Babar adventure with a very happy ending
This is a really terrific story. By capturing and then befriending the charming little Wully Wully, the elephants learn some good lessons about respect and kindness. After some adventures, the young elephants and the Wully Wully do what Babar couldn't - establishing peace with the Rhinos! This book has a nice blend of tension, adventure, and all sorts of little lessons to take away from it. ... Read more

Book Description

In this delightful fable for helping children to overcome bedwetting and to believe in their own self-worth, Sammy is a little elephant who can't hold his water. When he befriends Mr. Camel, he learns tricks and tips to hold his water until the right time to let it go, and later uses these new-found skills to put out a fire. With 26 richly textured illustrations, this gentle, cheery story will help children learn about their own inner strengths and resources. For ages 4-8. ... Read more

Book Description

Amazon.com

"Alexander aims his arrow at the apple. A bear reads a book in bed.Celeste wears her crown when she drives her car." From A to Z ("Zephir zips uphis sleeping bag zipper"), Babar takes young readers on a trip through thealphabet. Based on the tremendously popular Babar series from Jean de Brunhoffand, later, his son Laurent de Brunhoff, Babar's ABC enlists the help ofsuch beloved characters as Arthur, Cornelius, Pom, and Celeste to guide childrenon a learning-to-read adventure. Large colored letters, in both upper- andlowercase letters show up bold and bright at the top of each page, with a wordthat starts with the featured letter just underneath. "Ee," for example, standsfor elephant. The full-page illustration below is packed with elephants playing,wrestling, swimming, and walking. An inset picture shows a bunch of bunnies withthe caption, "White rabbits have long pink ears and little pinkeyes." Fans of the classic The Story of Babar, the LittleElephant will be delighted by the endpapers, which show, instead of thefamiliar string of elephants zigzagging across the spread, a progression ofelephants carting each awkwardly large letter of the alphabet, with the lastelephant finally stumbling under the weight of X, Y, and Z. (Ages 3 to 6)--Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Amazon.com

Armed with his blanket (Mooey), his toy rabbit (Mop), a stool, andvarious odds and ends he picks up along the way, elephant toddler Humphrey setsout to find a perfect place in his house to play. He tries the bathroom, hismother's room, and a closet, but nothing is quite right. Finally, stranded inhis mother's high heels on the stairs with his box precariously perched on thestep above him, and Mop toppled down below, tired little Humphrey has wornhimself out. Just in time, Mummy, who has been seen as a quiet backgroundpresence throughout, folding laundry and puttering in the bathroom, shows up tosave the day. Comfortably and comfortingly, she scoops up her boy under one armand his toys under the other, and finds him the best spot of all: a cozy hideoutin the kitchen behind the drying rack, close to jelly sandwiches, and, mostimportantly, to Mummy.

Sally Hunter's endearing elephant is guaranteed to win the hearts of everyreader. There's nothing like the tottering yet purposeful play of a toddler;Hunter's sketchy watercolor and pencil drawings capture the scene perfectly.Many of the details are told in pictures only, as when Humphrey decides that theproblem with the bathroom for a play area is that the floor is too sticky--wesee that Humphrey himself has pulled down the jars with "pretty colors" from theledge, as well as made "sploshy sounds" in the toilet by tossing in bath oils.(Ages 2 to 5) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Such a beautiful book!
I first purchased this book because the illustrations were amazing. Then I read the story and I LOVED it. Immediately I went out and bought Humphrey's Bedtime and Humphrey's Family. I'm now recommending and giving them as a gift- with a snuggly stuffed Humphrey. I recommend this book to everyone!

ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE
This book is absolutely adorable. The illustrations are charming, the font is perfect, and the story is very sweet. It follows Humphrey, a little elephant, as he collects his favorite things looking for the perfect place to play. It is a wonderful gift from a mother to a child (the ending will melt every mother's heart!) I gave it to my daughter as a first birthday present, and she won't enjoy the story for a year or two yet (too many words to a page for a 1 year old) but I had to have it for her. There is also a stuffed Humphrey available that I bought her at FAO Schwarz. ... Read more

Book Description

Which is your favorite color? Elmer has them all! Delightful board book featuring the popular character, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, in dual language. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Colours fit for a pachyderm lover
When I picked this book from the shelf I was immediately entranced by the extraordinary illustration of an elephant named Elmer. It wasn't so much that I thought my daughter would enjoy the read, I knew I would. Elmer is a character that I'd never encountered before, but the idea of a patchwork elephant struck me as simple but brilliant. Anyway, last Wednesday evening my daughter became the testing ground for this work. She was delighted the moment the book was opened. On the first page we see our patchwork elephant against the backdrop of rainbow colours. And what is he thinking? You can tell from the gorgeous red hearts which represent his thoughts that he is truly in love with colour. His colourful and amusing journeys, which would delight any child, include seeing a snowman, balancing fruit on his trunk and eating a popsicle at the beach. This book can be enjoyed by a very young child with the attention getting colours and shapes and by the same child when they later reach the reading stage. Having read Elmer's Colours I've now determined to track down the other titles in the series. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A book featuring great nature writing. . .and Disney
An interesting combination here: the blending of a Disney theme park with the exquisite writing of a beloved nature writer. Jean Craighead George, the highly acclaimed author of dozens of beloved books for young readers, wrote a series of picture books that focuses on four kinds of animals that make their homes in the African savanna (at least, it appears to be Africa; they may be living in the Disney theme park, Animal Kingdom). But readers are not to worry, for the animals in the stories are not cutesy, cartoonish critters--Ms. George, even though the style may be a slight departure from that of many of her other books, still manages to present her characters with accuracy and loving detail. In ELEPHANT WALK, a young elephant named Odon takes a walk across his land with his family and matriarch mother, wondering why his mother wants to walk so far, and learning about himself, his home--and his long, cumbersome trunk! During the walk he meets other animals, forms close bonds with his relatives, and loves to play. Then the family meets another group of elephants--and the ending is both endearing and intriguing. This is a good story, with lots of information about this fascinating mammal, and colorful illustrations. In the back Ms. George once again displays her interest and knowledge of animal behavior and language by showing us a chart of elephant talk. She has showed this interest and knowledge in other animal books, such as the recent HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOG, HOW TO TALK TO YOUR CAT, and the Newbery-Medal winning novel JULIE OF THE WOLVES, and its intriguing sequels JULIE, JULIE'S WOLF PACK, and the new picture books NUTIK THE WOLF PUP and NUTIK AND AMAROQ PLAY BALL.

A baby elephant's story about learning how to be an elephant
This is a tale of a day in the life of a baby elephant, with fairly detailed information about what it is like to be an elephant, how an elephant herd and its various members will act, depending on their respective roles in the herd, and how elephants communicate. The "narrator" has a particular problem with figuring out how to use his trunk, which he refers to as his nose, and tells his tale in a manner which I suspect will have children laughing. I found it educational and entertaining. Although apparently a single book, it has the apperance of perhaps being the first in a series of books about animals. If so, I am looking forward to the rest. ... Read more

Book Description

Babar returns in this unusual and heartwarming Christmas story by Jean de Brunhoff. Babar’s children have caught wind of a fellow in Man’s country named Father Christmas who brings joy and toys to little children. “If only we could bring him here,” they wish. So they write the Christmas saint a letter inviting him to visit them. When they get no reply, Babar, ever the good father, rushes out to find the red-suited one. After much searching, and with the help of a dog named Duck, Babar reaches Father Christmas’s workshop in the snow. Can Babar find a way to bring him to Elephants’ country?
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Reviews (2)

A Father Christmas
This book was originally published in 1940 and the end notes tell us that it was the last one written by Jean de Brunhoff before his untimely death at age 37. The story and line drawings were finished but the illustrations still needed to be colored. Jean's brother took care of that with the help of Jean's son who was only 12 years old when his father died. I like the fact that Jean's son had a hand in the coloring of this wonderful story of a father's love and special efforts on behalf of his children at Christmastime.
This book has all the lively and humorous characteristics of the other Babar the Elephant stories, the brightly colored, warm and friendly drawings of our beloved elephant royalty, the antics and adventures of the elephants themselves and of course, our hero, King Babar once again, saving the day, in this book, a most important day, Christmas!
Arthur, Pom, Flora and Alexander, the royal elephant children , together with their monkey pal, Zephir, write Father Christmas a wish list letter and are disappointed when they don't get a reply. This ultimately leads to Babar's realization that the Elephants' Country needs to be included in Santa's regular route, so he goes to heroic lengths to make his childrens' wishes come true. Babar and Father Christmas become fast friends and Father Christmas even gets to take a much needed rest in the tropical climate of Babar's country. The way de Brunhoff has drawn Father Christmas is quirky and jolly and rather different from the image we have of him today but entirely captures the essence of this wonderful holiday icon. If you have loved other Babar stories or if this is your first, you are sure to love it and make it a part of your Christmas tradition.

Babar and Father Christmas- Our Favorite christmas story.
Babar and Father Christmas is such a wondeerful Christmas Story. Santa Claus Gave us a copy for christmas a long time ago. In this book, Babar's Children heard about father christmas from somebody. They write him a letter and ask him to come to Celestesville. Father Christmas forgot to write back, so King Babar goes to man's country and looks for him, finally finds him at the north pole. We want to buy a copy as a gift. Please ask the publisher to reprint it. ... Read more

Book Description

Babar's birthday is coming soon, and Queen Celeste has amonumental surprise planned. She's having a sculptor carve a giant statue of Babarinto the mountainside. But Babar loves to ride right past the spot where the work isgoing on. How can the elephants and their friends keep their king's birthday surprisea secret?

First published in 1970, Babar's Birthday Surprise celebrates the joy ofplanning a thoughtful surprise for a special friend. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One sleepless night, Babar's son Alexander steps onto the terrace tolook at the moonlit sky. But it's not the moon filling the sky with brightness.Alexander is startled to see a luminous red and gold bird gliding towards him,clapping his beak: "Tash! Succotash! What are you doing here so late?" The youngelephant is delighted to discover that this marvelous bird is in fact a wizard.After partaking of the Succotash Bird's magical charms, Alexander bids himfarewell. The very next day, on a hike with his family, Alexander meets hisfine-feathered friend again... or does he? As the Succotash Bird warned him theevening before, "sometimes it's hard to tell friend from foe." This curiousaddition to the classic Babar series provides an interesting, yet somewhat oddlesson in recognizing that things are not always as they seem. Alexander'snightmarish education via the bad wizard is a bit harsh, with little to comforthim other than a lucky save by his mother and the good wizard.

Laurent de Brunhoff, building upon his father Jean de Brunhoff's original sevenBabar stories, including Babarthe King and The Story ofBabar, the Little Elephant, has created more than 30 books about theworld's most beloved pachyderm. Laurent de Brunhoff brings to life theadventures of Babar and his family with his tremendously appealing, looselycolored and outlined illustrations. Babar, once met, will remain with everyreader for life. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Great New Babar Story
If you are like me, Babar stories are among your favorites. Hopefully, they are your children's favorites too. This is a new story from Laurent de Brunhoff. As much as I like the story, I must say that I like the illustrations even more. This is one of the most beautifully illustrated of all the Babar stories.

One night in Celesteville, Alexander (King Babar's and Queen Celeste's elephant son) awakens. Drawn by the bright light coming through the window, he walks out onto the terrace to look at the moon. But there is no moon. The light is caused by a beautiful red and gold bird with sparkling feathers. The bird says, "Tash! Succotash! What are you doing here so late?" Alexander replies, "I can't sleep." The bird says that he is a wizard, and asks Alexander if he wants to play parachute or swing-swing. Alexander doesn't know what either one is. He chooses swing-swing, and soon he floating in the air, swinging gently back and forth and left to right. Alexander loves it. The wizard eventually returns Alexander to the terrace and persuades him to return to sleep.

Since Alexander has had such a good time, he wants to know if the wizard will come back to play with him again. The wizard says that he may, but issues a warning. "But remember, there are good and bad wizards, and sometimes it's hard to tell friend from foe."

The very next day, the elephant family goes for a walk and Alexander spots another bird, this time a brown one, that says "Succotash!" And the adventure begins in a new direction.

The moral of this story is that life is full of right and wrong mixed together, like succotash is "lima beans cooked up with corn." Youngsters need to be on the look out.

All humans are inclined to draw patterns in their minds that may or may not be present. You have a wonderful time with a new friend, and expect that the next time will be exactly the same. But you may have met that person on the happiest day of his or her life, and the next time you see the person is the saddest. Also, because your aunt and uncle are nice, that doesn't mean someone else's aunt and uncle will be, too. I thought that this book was unusually good in helping a child establish a sense of skepticism and distinction, rather than extrapolating blindly from the last experience. If this lesson can be learned well, your child's life will be much happier and more successful.

Nice writing!

After you finish enjoying this story, I suggest that you think about where you and your child may be drawing false conclusions from incomplete or misleading evidence. For example, if you and your child went to the aquarium on a day when it was crowded and she or he was sick, perhaps you had a bad time and have avoided the aquarium since then. If so, perhaps you should try again on a not-so-crowded day when both of you feel terrific.

Look for the best and worst, and embrace the best!

It's a nice story
This recent addition to the classic Babar series is somewhat less whimsical than the original set of books but enjoyable nonetheless. The pictures are nice and have the same spirit as the originals; my 6-year old boy likes the way that the pictures are drawn. However, the story is a bit choppier. The lessons are carefully and explicitly made: (1) be careful what you wish for as you might be surprised and (2) that life is mixed between good and bad just like succotash is mixed with beans and corn.

If you're looking for the classic Babar stories by Jean de Brunhoff, then this would be a second choice.

Cute
All little kids are garunteed to love this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Happy Birthday, Humphrey!

"It was a very special day.
It was Humphrey's birthday!"

Getting ready for his very own party is lots of fun for Humphrey, especially when he is wearing his favorite birthday present-a real superhero suit! Humphrey can't wait for the guests to arrive, or for the games and presents and lovely things to eat. When everyone does come, Humphrey feels a little shy, and even though it is his special day and he is such a big boy now, sometimes he still gets upset. But Mommy and Daddy and Lottie all help Humphrey to feel better, and his birthday party ends just the way it should-with cake and singing!
... Read more

Book Description

Even big girls get tired sometimes.

Humphrey is busy getting ready for bed, but Lottie has far more important things to do. She has to take care of her stuffed animals and make sure they are ready for bed. Luckily, Lottie is a big girl, so she gets to stay up very, very late. But it's hard work getting all those babies ready, and even big girls get tired sometimes.

Humphrey, the endearing toddler from Humphrey's Corner, is back. In this charming companion book, readers meet Humphrey's big sister, Lottie, and a familiar bedtime ritual takes on a whole new meaning.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

Humphrey's Bedtime
I have all 3 books Sally Hunter has released so far. The stories are simple, yet they hold your attention. The pictures are beautiful. They really make me remember what it was like to be a small child. My son has been enjoying theses books since we found them at a book store over a year ago. He is now 4 and continues to love them. I will preorder Sallys' books as long as she writes them. I hope for a collection! They are simply my favorite books.

Sweet story
We love Humphrey's corner at our house! A lovely little story that's beautifully illustrated! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Delightful
The illustrations are colorful and the story is touching. All mothers can relate to the worry of the mother elephant because her children are so different, just as human children in one's family are different. The two little elephants are guided to find their own place in the world, just as we guide our own children and/or students to believe in themselves as individuals and to know it's okay to be their own unique selves.

I have used this story in my own family as a gift to a grandson who was adopted from India. I also used it in my Kindergarten classroom to introduce the countries where elephants are found in the wild (although sadly there are no more wild Indian elephants) and to discuss how to tell the differences between African and Indian elephants.

What a beautiful, delightful surprise!
It's difficult to pin down what brings forth the magic of this magnificent book - the poetry in the simple, unpretentious prose, or in the sympathetic, perfectly accomodating illustrations. This is the first book I've read by Ms. Chambers, and I will scour the shelves for her other works. My kids loved this book, and I fell in love with it as well.

The story is about Palo and Mala, a pair of twin elephants who couldn't be more different. Palo is gentle, almost timid, and loving. Mala is wild, carefree, and energetic. The twins' mother is concerned that she won't be able to find a life suitable for the two of them. By book's end, we find that it is acceptable to embrace our differences, rather than attempt to stifle them. The elephant twins are to be given their own, very different settings for their very different lives, and the reader soon learns that all elephants will be the recipients of their good fortune.

This book touches the children on so many levels. Not only are kids taught that we can be different and still be loved, but we can also be important for our differences. The kids may wind up learning a bit about how to tell the difference between Indian and African elephants, too, if they're not careful!

An exceptional book for every child's shelf. ... Read more

Book Description

Elmer loves to play in all kinds of weather -- wind, fog, snow, rain and sun. Delightful board book featuring the popular character, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, in dual language. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Elmer's Weather
Elmer the elephant is an adorable character for toddlers. In this book, the multi-colored elephant incounters a different weather conditions on each page. From windy to snowy to sunny, toddlers learn about the weather in a simple, brightly colored format. My 19 month old son adores Elmer and insists on taking this book to bed with him each night. ... Read more