The Art of Babar: the Work of Jean and Laurent De Brunhoff

Children’s Books Art, Design & Photography

The Art of Babar by Nicholas Fox Weber is a lavish 1995 Abrams paperback that celebrates the gentle watercolor worlds created by Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff. Within its 192 oversized pages, bedtime-story elephants step into gallery-quality spreads, making this volume a charming bridge between nursery nostalgia and serious art appreciation.

Generously illustrated and printed on heavy stock, the book traces Babar’s visual evolution while offering cultural context for collectors, parents, and young readers alike. Though ex-library, the laminated cover still shows the familiar gray silhouette of the beloved elephant king, and every illustration remains crisp and ready to inspire new bedtime readings or craft-table color studies.

Expect the usual library reminders—spine labels, rear stickers, and a handful of ink stamps along the edges—but the binding is tight and all images are complete. A few page corners show light rubbing, yet the book sits squarely on the shelf and turns smoothly in hand, perfect for cozy story hours or as a nostalgic art reference.

This vintage picture book weighs just under a kilo, so shipping is secure and affordable. Whether you’re hunting a child-friendly introduction to art and culture or a unique gift for Babar fans young and old, this gently pre-loved copy offers decades more elephant-sized charm without the collector-level price tag.