cover image The Art of Babar: The Work of Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff

The Art of Babar: The Work of Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff

Nicholas Weber. ABRAMS, $39.95 (191pp) ISBN 978-0-8109-1893-1

With cooperation from Laurent de Brunhoff, whose father Jean created Babar in 1931, Weber, director of the Josef Albers Foundation in Connecticut, deepens readers' appreciation for this French family and their artistry. Jean's death at 37 in 1937 ended the tales about the beloved Babar until Laurent revived them in 1946. Today, the adventures of King Babar, Queen Celeste and their offspring are still international favorites. This beautiful volume includes early de Brunhoff family photos and a rich collection of paintings by father and son, those that illustrate the Babar books and other works displaying the artists' versatility. A touching biography combined with singular eye-appeal, the book is a lasting treasure. North Light Book Club and Graphic Artist's Book Club selections. (Nov.)