In 1931 France, Cecile de Brunhoff told her children a story of a little, orphaned elephant that became king of the elephants. Their father Jean de Brunhoff, a painter, created pictures of the tale for the children. Jean decided to make this into a book. This was the start of one of the best-loved children's characters of the 20th century. Jean de Brunhoff wrote five more Babar stories before his death in 1937. His son, Laurent de Brunhoff, has continued the series. Laurent published his first Babar book in 1946. He did not only write more Barbar adventures but branched Barbar out to television, theaters, and video. The popularity of Barbar is now worldwide and many products have been made that are associated with him.

When Babar was young and lived in the jungle, his mother was killed by a hunter. Babar ran into the forest and escaped. Eventually walking into a town. There he met a kind old lady who adopted him. Babar bought clothes and was educated about the ways of humans. After living in the town for two years he began to miss the jungle and wanted to go back to his relatives and friends. One day, he and the old lady were walking down the street and saw two young elephants. They turned out to be his cousins Celeste and Arthur. They end up returning to the forest just after the king of the elephants died. Cornelius and the other elephant elders had been discussing who should become the new King. Cornelius suggested that Babar should become the king and the other elephants agreed. Babar accepted the honor. He marries his childhood sweetheart, Celeste and makes Cornelius his general. Barbar educated the other elephants in human ways and a town was built. It was named "Celesteville" in honor of the his wife, Queen of elephants. Babar and his wife had many adventures and had 3 children, twins named Flora, Pom and Alexander. In the TV series, they later had a child named Isabelle. The following sites will tell you more about Barbar.