Penelope Green
Laurent de Brunhoff, Artist Who Made Babar Famous, Dies at 98 - The New York Times
Laurent de Brunhoff, the artist behind the famous Babar series, passed away at 98 in Key West, Florida. He continued his father's legacy by creating over 50 books about Babar the elephant, a character who embarks on adventures in Paris and beyond. Despite early criticisms for themes of colonialism and racism, Babar's stories became iconic, beloved by readers including Charles de Gaulle and Maurice Sendak. Laurent de Brunhoff's work extended Babar's world, inspiring generations of children through his whimsical and moral tales.
Babar was born one night in 1930 in a leafy Paris suburb. Laurent, then 5, and his brother, Mathieu, 4, were having trouble sleeping. Their mother, Cécile de Brunhoff, a pianist and music teacher, began to spin a tale about an orphaned baby elephant who flees the jungle and runs to Paris, which is conveniently located nearby. The boys were enthralled by the story, and in the morning they raced off to tell their father, Jean de Brunhoff, an artist; he embraced the tale and began to sketch the little elephant, whom he named Babar, and flesh out his adventures. (View Highlight)
Note: have to tell sophie and felix
We take the same care to avoid over-dramatization of the events or situations that do arise. If we take the correct, efficient steps, we both believe that a happy end will come. (View Highlight)