Legacy of Laurent de Brunhoff, Renowned Author of 'Babar the Elephant'
Following in his father's footsteps, Laurent de Brunhoff carried on the beloved 'Babar' series for over seven decades, enchanting generations of young readers with his timeless tales.
Laurent de Brunhoff, the writer and illustrator who carried on his father's work by creating many new books for the "Babar the Elephant" series, passed away at the age of 98.
He peacefully passed away at his residence in Key West, Florida on Friday after suffering from a stroke, as confirmed by his wife, the critic and author Phyllis Rose, in an email to CNN.
A citizen of both France and the US, de Brunhoff published over 40 books featuring Babar, an elegantly dressed elephant created by his mother, Cécile, and brought to life by his illustrator father, Jean, in the 1930s.
"The beginning of Babar was actually a bedtime tale from my mother," de Brunhoff shared with CNN in a 2003 interview. "My brother and I were captivated by the story and we excitedly shared it with our father. He then turned it into a book for us. As he completed the first book, he was inspired to create more and more. It was a journey of self-discovery for him, I believe."
De Brunhoff's father passed away from tuberculosis in 1937 when De Brunhoff was only 12 years old. At that time, he had already published five books for the series. These initial titles depict Babar, dressed in green, leaving the jungle for Paris after his mother is tragically shot by a hunter. Babar then goes on to have numerous adventures before eventually being crowned as the king of the elephants.
Books written by Judy Blume, at her bookstore in Key West, Fla., Jan. 20, 2023. Decades after she first discussed translating her work to film and television, the Blume-aissance is upon us -- all it needed was for fans to take charge in the entertainment industry. (Saul Martinez/The New York Times)
Judy Blume's books are displayed at her bookstore in Key West, Florida on January 20, 2023. Fans have been eagerly waiting for her work to be adapted into movies and TV shows for many years. Finally, with the support of her dedicated fans in the entertainment industry, the "Blume-aissance" has arrived. (Photo credit: Saul Martinez/The New York Times)
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Two more of his father's books were published after his death, and as a teenager, de Brunhoff created a cover illustration for the final Babar title.
Following in his father's footsteps, de Brunhoff attended art school in Paris and also worked as a painter. At 21 years old in 1946, he brought Babar back to life with his own book, "Babar's Cousin: That Rascal Arthur."
“I wanted Babar to live again,” he told CNN in 2003.
Global phenomenon
In the years following his father's passing, de Brunhoff added fresh characters and plotlines to the series, making it more popular worldwide. His stories depicted Babar exploring different countries with his loved ones, trying out new recipes, practicing yoga, and even embarking on adventures to outer space. One of his latest books, "Babar's Guide to Paris," came out in 2017, over 70 years after he breathed new life into the beloved character.
Children's author and illustrator Laurent de Brunhoff working at his home during a BBC television interview in 1969.
Children's author and illustrator Laurent de Brunhoff working at his home during a BBC television interview in 1969.
Malcolm Winton/Radio Times/Getty Images
The series has sparked the imagination of many generations of children, but it has faced criticism for allegedly promoting and justifying French colonialism. Some of Jean de Brunhoff's original illustrations and storylines have also been called out for perpetuating racist stereotypes.
In the 1980s, Chilean author Ariel Dorfman pointed out that Babar's story, which includes his adoption of human behaviors and clothing, as well as his role in bringing human civilization to the jungle, can be seen as a reflection of the colonial ambitions of dominant countries.
In his 1983 book, "The Empire’s Old Clothes: What the Lone Ranger, Babar, and Other Innocent Heroes Do to Our Minds," Dorfman pointed out that Babar's story by (Jean) de Brunhoff avoids portraying plundering, racism, underdevelopment, and misery in the jungle, maintaining ecological balance.
When interviewed by National Geographic in 2014, de Brunhoff seemed to acknowledge the criticism that his series perpetuated myths about French colonialism.
"I believe it's the right decision," he shared with the magazine. "It was a bit uncomfortable for me to see Babar, a character created by my father, engaging in conflict with Black individuals in Africa. The inspiration for my second book, 'Babar's Picnic,' also came from my father's drawings. However, as time passed, I started to feel uneasy about this book and eventually requested the publisher to remove it."
Alan Dein/Anderson Entertainment/Courtesy Four Corners Books
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The series has been translated into numerous languages. Babar was adapted for TV multiple times, starting with a production for NBC in the late 1960s. A later series titled "Babar" premiered in 1989 on CBC in Canada and HBO in the US (HBO is owned by CNN’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery). The more recent "Babar and the Adventures of Badou" aired globally on various channels, including Disney Junior, between 2010 and 2015.
Tributes poured in over the weekend after news of de Brunhoff's passing. Oscar-nominated writer, director, and actor Whit Stillman, in a message on X (formerly Twitter), praised his Babar books as "exquisitely beautiful and charming."
The Mary Ryan Gallery in New York, known for representing de Brunhoff's illustrations, expressed on Instagram that the writer and illustrator's passion for Babar, his art, and family story has resonated with millions worldwide.
Editor's P/S:
The passing of Laurent de Brunhoff, the beloved illustrator and author who carried on the legacy of the "Babar the Elephant" series, marks the end of an era. De Brunhoff's dedication to keeping his father's creation alive for generations of children is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. His contributions to the series, introducing fresh characters and storylines, expanded the world of Babar and made it more relatable to audiences worldwide.
While the "Babar the Elephant" series has brought joy to countless children, it has also faced criticism for its alleged promotion of French colonialism and perpetuation of racist stereotypes. It is important to acknowledge and address these criticisms, recognizing the historical context in which the original stories were written. De Brunhoff's willingness to acknowledge these concerns and remove certain problematic elements from his books shows his commitment to creating a more inclusive and representative series for future generations.
