Lifestyle Notes

Childhood fans of Jean de Brunhoff's Babar the Elephant stories and yoga practitioners will find a happy confluence in Babar's Yoga for Elephants by his son, Laurent de Brunhoff. Author of a number of previous books that continue Babar's adventures, de Brunhoff's passion for yoga practice is infectious as he draws Babar starting his day with the Salutation to the Sun (with complete step-by-step instructions and the pachyderm demonstrating each position) and other stretches and breathing exercises. Humorous touches make the most of the elephant's anatomy ("I find wrapping my trunk around my feet helps to stretch"), and a series of pages show Babar and friends emulating landmarks while practicing various positions (e.g., a Downward-Facing Dog in front of I.M. Pei's pyramid at the Louvre). A poster of the pachyderm pulls out of the inside back cover. (Abrams, $16.95 48p ISBN 0-8109-1021-7; Sept.) (see review in Children's Forecasts, Aug. 12)