Babar the Elephant first appeared in the 'Histoire de Babar' book written by Jean de Brunhoff in 1931, based on stories that his wife Cecile made up for her children. Jean de Brunhoff wrote a further six books before his death in 1937, after which his son Laurent picked up the gauntlet and continued the series of stories in 1946 with 'Babar et Le Coquin d'Arthur'.
The stories told the tale of a fictional French elelphant called Babar that left the jungle after his mother was shot by hunters. Babar finds his way to Paris, where he becomes friends with Madame (an old lady that provides a home and education for Babar). Celeste and Arthur, Babar's cousins come to find him in the city, following the death of the King of the Elephants. Due to the great knowledge Babar has gained through living in Paris amongst humans he is made the new King of the Elephants. Babar marries his cousin Celeste, and creates a new 'Westernised' city in the jungle called Celesteville, where he rules as a wise and gentle ruler, teaching his subjects to dress and live as those he has learnt from in Paris.
The cartoon follows this basic storyline, and always starts with Babar in the present day, as an aged ruler with his family and friends about him. Through some mechanism Babar will end up reading or telling his young children a story from his youth, about the adventures he had as the king of a new realm and the moral and ethical lessons he learned. The vast majority of the cartoon follows Babar, Celeste and Arthur's adventures as young children in the jungle, at the formation of a new kingdom, book-ended by scenes of Babar in the present day ( his old age).
The closest thing to a nemesis in the cartoon is King Rataxes, the king of the rhinos. King Rataxes is shown to be uncultured and a bit of an oaf, but he is not an outright enemy. Somewhere along the narrative of the 78 cartoons, we find he has signed a peace agreement with the elephants and they now enjoy reasonable harmony between the kingdoms.
The cartoon and books have proven to be incredibly popular, and Babar is still a children's favourite well over seventy years after he first appeared. The cartoon is of course of its time, and if you look at the resources section below you will see that there has been criticism of the colonial/political narrative of the texts, but as a cartoon it is a thoroughly charming, high quality piece of animation.
Babar
Babar is shown to be a just, courageous and fair ruler of the kingdom of Celesteville that he has created. Babar lost his mother to hunters as a child and as such loves nothing more than being with his large family and group of friends.
Celeste
Celeste is Babar's cousing and also his wife! Celeste is the Queen of the kingdom, but she is by no means a trophy wife. Celeste has travelled much around the world and is shown to be intelligent, kind and an equal match to her husband.
Pompadour
Pompadour is one of Babar's old friends, he is also the Finance Minister of the Kingom. Pompadour is very beauracratic and likes his pomp and ceremony.
Cornelius
Cornelius again is an old and loyal friend to Babar. Corenlius is also the Prime Minister of the kingdon. Corenlius is the oldest elephant in the cartoon and provides Babar with sage council. Whenever he is shocked ( which is almost always) he says 'My Tusks!'
Rataxes
Rataxes is as close to a bad-guy as the show has. King Rataxes is the king of the Rhinos, he starts out as Babar's eenmy, butthey eventually sign a peace agreement. Rataxes lazy and uncouth way of tackling problems is often contrasted against Babar's approach. Rataxes has a wife (Lady Louise) and a son called Victor. Victor and Babar's children are firm friends.
Arthur
Arthur is both Babar's cousing and brother in law (as Babar married his cousing, Celeste). Out of Babar, Celeste and Arthur - Arthur is the one most likely to get the three in trouble as children. Arthur hasa keen sense of adventure and is not quite as thoughtful or controlled as Babar and Celeste.
Madame
Madame is the lady that meets Babar in Paris. Madame gives Babar a home and literally clothes him. Eventually Madame moves from Paris to live in Celesteville once Babar tells her he has built her a house there.
Zephir
Zephir is also one of Babar's oldest friends, he is also a monkey! Quite often Zephir is given the role of baby-sitter to Babar's children and as such he is seen as one of the family.
Isabelle & Flora
Isabelle is th esmallest toddler of Babar's children. Flora is her elder sister and she is a bit of a tom-boy, from hanging around with her brothers too much.
Alexander & Pom
Alexander is the smallest of the triplets (who are Alexander, Pom and Flora). Pom is the eldest of the four children and sees himself as their protector.
Babar: Facts
Originally Aired: March 1989 - June 1991 (65 eps; 2000 - 13 eps.)
Episodes: 78 episodes over 6 seasons
Length: 22 mins
Produced By: Nelvana Ltd; Ellipse; The Clifford Ross Company
