Editorial Review

Surely among the most lovable of all Dr. Seuss creations, Horton the Elephant represents kindness, trustworthiness, and perseverance--all wrapped up, thank goodness, in a comical and even absurd package. Horton hears a cry for help from a speck of dust, and spends much of the book trying to protect the infinitesimal creatures who live on it from the derision and trickery of other animals, who think their elephant friend has gone quite nutty. But worse is in store: an eagle carries away the clover in which Horton has placed the life-bearing speck, and "let that small clover drop somewhere inside / of a great patch of clovers a hundred miles wide!" Horton wins in the end, after persuading the "Who's" to make as much noise as possible and prove their existence. This classic is not only fun, but a great way to introduce thoughtful children to essentially philosophical questions.How, after all, are we so sure there aren't invisible civilizations floating by on every mote? (Ages 4 to 8) Read more

Reviews (41)

Violent -- age range?
What age range is the book appropriate for?
Great Children's Book
It's a lovely story about Horton the elephant who saves a tiny planet that lives in a speck of dust.Very cute story.

Not a movie at all
Very disappointing version of this story.I was hoping to see the actual Horton, animation and all and this was a page turner with a voice attached.Not what I was expecting at all.Don't bother. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Elephants    5. Fantasy    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Nonsense verses    10. Readers - Beginner    11. Stories in rhyme    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants   

Editorial Review

Poor Horton. Dr. Seuss's kindly elephant is persuaded to sit on an egg while its mother, the good-for-nothing bird lazy Maysie, takes a break. Little does Horton know that Maysie is setting off for a permanent vacation in Palm Springs. He waits, and waits, never leaving his precarious branch, even through a freezing winter and a spring that's punctuated by the insults of his friends. ("They taunted.They teased him. They yelled 'How Absurd! Old Horton the Elephant thinks he's a bird!'") Further indignities await, but Horton has the patience of Job--from whose story this one clearly derives--and he is rewarded in the end by the surprise birth of... an elephant-bird. Read more

Reviews (28)

Horton is Always a Good Choice
I grew up listening to this book on a record.These days, rhymes, like Mother Goose, are not taught in school or pre school like they once were.I teach ELL but even English speakers are having more difficulty with hearing rhymes which has a direct correlation to their phonemic awarness development.This is one of the major components of pre-reading readiness.Horton also is a good example of empathy and we certainly could use more of this in our public schools among the students!

HortonHatches The Egg
Hacton the Elephant and the egg and that lazy momma bird.Oh momma bird just waiting to tricksome animal into watching her egg .Then comes Mr,Elephant .Oh poor Mr.Elephant gets stuck sitting on a tree for months. This book is a real good book .I would give it a thumbs up.

One of the best of the Seuss books in my opinion
Horton Hatches the egg was one of my favourite books when I was a child and it is lovely to be able to read it to my children and it has become one of their favourite too. I certainly prefer this one to many of the Seuss books available (I have never been a huge fan of Cat in the hat or Green Eggs and Ham) This one has a hugely appealing story.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Classics    5. Elephants    6. Family - General    7. Fantasy    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Poetry    11. Stories in rhyme    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants   

Editorial Review

Seven decades after Babar was born, the world is still very much in lovewith the noble elephant. Before his untimely death at age 37, Jean de Brunhoffwrote and illustrated six stories about Babar and his friends and family. Inthis exquisite gift edition, every one of these stories is included, with not aword or picture left out. From Read more

Reviews (5)

Great fun for the whole family
My husband and I grew up on Babar.So when we saw this book we bought for our 4 month old son.He loves to hear our voices as we read to him and he also loves the bright colored pictures.We enjoy the memories that the stories bring back to us.A great addition to anyones collection. "Original" art?Ha!
I was so thrilled to get this book as a gift, especially since it includes the long out-of-print "Babar and Zephir."When I began to leaf through it, being very familiar with the older editions, I grew sicker with every page.Jean de Brunhoff's stunning artwork has been absolutely destroyed. A GREAT CHILDREN'S BOOK!
We have a3 year old and a 2 year old and they both really love Babar and the gang.They love the book and Babar videos.We've had this book for over a year, and our children continue to ask us to read it to them.This book is wonderfully illustrated and humorous.Enjoyable even for adults. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Animals - Elephants    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 1-2    7. Elephants    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (28)

Classic to cherish
I had this Babar book as a child and could not resist buying it for my daughter, and I am so happy that I did.This book is so incredible, the pictures and colors so vibrant and the text so incredibly addictive, that your child wil carry it with her forever.I know I have.I was stunned by how much of the dialogue and how many of the pictures I remembered.This book is a reasure that you and your children will share for years to come.Some people my comment about some of the themes, but as a child they went over my head, and as an adult, I recognized how tastefully done they are.Highest possible recommendation

Lovely story
This is such an awesome story.I can remember reading it when I was a child.My three-year-old son can't get enough of this book.Other reviewers have expressed concern with the sad parts of the story (Babar's mother killed and the elephant king dying,) but they didn't bother my son a bit.We just talked about what was happening and he was okay.This is a classic!

a classic tale to share with your children
I love Babar as much for the pictures as for the story.When I read it again to my daughter, I turned to the page where "Alas, that very day, the King of the elephants had eaten a bad mushroom" and thought wow, I remember that!The resurging memory of that illustration is so keen in my mind, it's as if twenty-plus years had just fallen away.And next comes my very favorite line, for its old-fashioned text and neatness of phrase:"It poisoned him and he became ill, so ill that he died.This was a great calamity."Which is not to say that the story of Babar dwells on sad things, because it doesn't.Whatever happens to Babar he deals with it with grace and moves on.Endlessly adaptable, this is an elephant who so charms the ladies that he woos and wins Celeste in just their brief drive home.The only sticking point for some parents who are encountering this book for the first time and therefore don't have their eyes all misting over with tender rememberances of their own childhood is that Babar is chosen to be the new king of the elephants because he is considered to have "learned so much living among men".If you are trying not to teach your children that humans are above and beyond all other animals, you may not want this subtle message.Overall, I think this book is wonderful and, at the end, when he and Celeste fly away in a hot air balloon to begin their honeymoon, it is clear that the story continues.This can be taken in the vein of allowing for endless opportunity of sequels but I prefer to think of it as the beginning of your child's opportunity to answer "what happens next" and regale you with their own series of stories about the adventures of Babar, the little elephant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Elephants    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Classics    7. Elephants    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. Royalty (kingsqueensprincesprincessesknightsetc.)    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants   

Reviews (4)

Ella Sets the Stage
Once again the D'Amico's have made it easy for me to choose gifts for all the little ones in my family!Ella Sets the Stage is a wonderful tale, beautifully told and illustrated and addresses the desire we all have to discover our special talent.It's easy to see why Ella has become a favorite with all of the children I enjoy reading to.

A Round of Applause!
Carmela and Steve have done another outstanding job with "Ella Sets the Stage"!The message is timeless, and one every child wants to hear - we all have special talents to celebrate!The illustrations are charming with just enough detail to keep you interested but not be too cluttered.Lola the monkey is a fun new character in the book that kids will enjoy.My great niece loves Ella and I'm excited to give her this new book for Christmas!
Cute but...
not quite as cute as the first two.The story seemed a little more contrived, especially the part where she needs to use her "lucky hat" (a theme running through all the books).The illustrations are top-notch though! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - Elephants    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Elephants    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Performing Arts - General    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. School & Education    12. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    13. Talent shows    14. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance   

Editorial Review

On one of their weekly balloon flights over Celesteville, Babar and Celeste notice that the railroad station is standing empty. Elephants, it seems, now prefer cars over trains. Interestingly, although Babar comments on the roads "jammed with traffic," he and his queen decide to focus on the other issue--the abandoned station. Celeste comes up with an idea to turn it into a museum to house their art collection, and soon an architect is drawing up plans and workers are renovating the building. When the great day of the opening arrives, what a show! The royal couple had acquired some pretty impressive and well known works of art--all featuring elephants, of course. Laurent de Brunhoff outdoes himself with the real-life art-inspired paintings and sculptures, from Mary Cassatt’s"Mother and Child" to Edvard Munch’s "The Scream" to Leonardo da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa." Young art buffs will enjoy the very age-appropriate art appreciation lessons, as the children are encouraged!to say whatever they want about the art: "I like this picture because it’s red," says Arthur about Van Gogh’s "Self-Portrait." When pedantic Cornelius tries to pontificate, Celeste gently hushes him. Includes a free pull-out poster. (Ages 4 to 7) Read more

Reviews (6)

Elephants on Parade
My 4 year old granddaughter loves the book. I enjoyed seeing many famous works of art converted to elephant-views of the world -- a refreshing reframing of the familiar. All ages can benefit from this.

Review for the notecards-
This is a review for the note cards. They are beautiful. The whimsical images lifted from the book are printed on decent/usable cardstock, and are definitely fine but the envelopes are much, much higher quality than you normally see in a product like this.The box itself is wonderful and will be something you keep long after the cards are all gone.

Note Cards
Buyer beware -- these note cards fold to 3"x5". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Animals in art    3. Art (paintingsculptureartistsarchitectureetc.)    4. Art museums    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Preschool    7. De Brunhoff, Jean / De Brunhoff, Laurent    8. Elephants    9. Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Museums    12. Juvenile Fiction / Art & Architecture    13. Picture books   

Reviews (8)

Belly Laughing!
I purchased this book for my son through Scholastic Weekly Reader.It had an interesting cover although it was pink I thought I'll buy it anyway.When he brought it home from school we sat down immediately and began to read it.We were belly laughing so hard that I could hardly finish the book.I highly recommend this book.It's a great, fun, enjoyable, fantastic, quick and jazzy little read.Definately brings a smile to any face young or old.

Laugh-out-loud funny!
The Hiccupotamus by Aaron Zenz is a vibrant picture book filled with a sense of humor that bounces off of the pages along with the colors.A hippo has a severe case of the hiccups and accidentally angers an elephant by hiccuping nearby.She chases after him and on the way they encounter a whole group of animals bothered by his hiccups.The text is done in a rollicking rhyme that will appeal to toddlers and preschoolers as well as the adults reading and listening.This book is quite simply a lot of fun.I would save it to pull out and brighten a rainy day.
you ain't seen nothin' yet!
Although I have no children of my own, I am a long-time fan of children's literature. This book is a "must have!" The story and the illustrations...I was awestruck. I've yet to come across a child who hasn't asked me to read it again (and again...and again). It's now standard that I buy one any time I need to get a gift for a child.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. General   

Reviews (4)

Like the book? Check out the web site!
For all Ella fans out there everywhere, there is now a new online home to visit Ella, explore her world, and play fun games!
very sweet
Ella is a little elephant wants to help her mother out in the bakery.Each task that she wants to take on her mother tells her that she is too small.She is really upset and wants to help really bad.When the delivery man forgets to pick up a special cake it's Ella chance to help!She runs into few problems along the way but she over comes them.She gets the cake to it's special party!When Ella gets back to the bakery her mother has decided that she is now ready to help bake a cake!
A Very Enjoyable Read
I bought this for my daughter who loved the first book in this series, "Ella the Elegant Elephant". Here, Ella longs to feel helpful while assisting her mother in their bakery. She embarks on a slap-dash cake delivery to prove herself adept, a journey that could spell trouble if Ella doesn't take it upon herself to finish up what she's started. In spite of the obstacles that ensue, she displays a tenacious handle on things. The message ofstriving for personal responsiblity doesn't come off as heavy handed, cloaked in slap-sticky scenes that are whimsical and funny, and finished off with a nice, quiet end that brings the tale full circle. The story is rich and the illustrations strikingly detailed. We are really enjoying this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Animals - Elephants    4. Bakers and bakeries    5. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    6. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    7. Children: Kindergarten    8. Children: Preschool    9. Elephants    10. Fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Preschool Picture Story Books    13. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    14. Social Issues - Values    15. Social Situations - Values    16. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance   

Reviews (7)

So Wonderful
This book is so wonderful. My daughter is 5 years old and loves elephants. The book is really good, but the CD that comes with it is wonderful also. The voices really bring the book alive.

Our new favorite book
We checked this book out from the library and nobody wants to return it!We have definitely added this to our Christmas wish list.
This book is everything you are looking for!
IF you are seeking an uplifting story within a beautifully illustrated book accompanied by an engaging and well-produced CD... look no further than Ellison the Elephant.I bought this book for my two nephews and it immediately became their #1 requested story (displacing their previous #1 favorite, Leo The Lightning Bug, also written by Eric Drachman.Hmmm...)
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children's audiobooks    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Elephants    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Self-esteem    9. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants    10. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

great CD
I bought this for my daughter on a whim and while at two and a half the book itself isn't in demand on a daily basis the CD definately is. She LOVES it and we listen to it over and over and over.........and unlike some CDs marketed to kids this one isn't dumbed down for their consumption, it's just taken real music with real musicians and made a lovely recording that is geared toward children but totally palatable for adults. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Children's All Ages - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Concepts - General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Performing Arts - General    8. Performing Arts - Music    9. Juvenile Fiction / Performing Arts   

Reviews (2)

DELIGHTFUL BOOK
Here we get wonderful story telling from a true master of the genre.The art work is fantastic and the reader's imganination is stimulated on each and ever pageChildren will love this work (and I am including sixty four plus year old children also) and this is a work you will certainly want to read for your child, and if building a library for your your child, this is one you will want to add.Highly recommend this one.Don Blankenship

A NEW TWIST ON FRIENDSHIP DELIGHTFULLY ILLUSTRATED

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Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Best friends    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Elephants    7. Fiction    8. Friendship    9. Humorous Stories    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Social Issues - Friendship    13. Social Situations - Friendship    14. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    15. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Friendship   

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Elephants    5. Fiction    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Kings, queens, rulers, etc    9. Parent and child    10. Preschool Picture Story Books    11. School & Education    12. Schools    13. Character books    14. Juvenile Fiction / General    15. Picture books   

Reviews (7)

Judging a book by the cover
I picked up the book because of the cover, a boy sitting with Interesting story
This was a good book, easy to read by people of all ages. There are some amazing life struggles depicted very well...

A REVIEW OF THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD
I think that how Ralph Helfer made this story become so true and so realistic to the readers mind really touched me it is one of the best books i have ever read and ever will read. You cant read this book with out a box of tissues near bye because I cried my eyes out through out the whole book. I can really relate to this book because currently my pony is for sale and i am going to keep track of him forever and hopefully who ever buys him will sell him back to me for my baby cousin who is too young for him now but will be a perfect match as she gets older. Ralph Helfer gets a standing applause for his book Modoc. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Biography & Autobiography - Performing Arts    3. Children's 9-12 - Biography / Autobiography    4. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Biography    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Circus animals    7. Human-animal relationships    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Modoc (Elephant)    11. Performing Arts - Circus    12. Social Issues - Friendship    13. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants   

Reviews (10)

Saggy Baggy Elephant
Purchased this to read to my twin three year old grandcildren. They love all the "little Golden Books" and I usually carry two or three with me whenever I go with them.. They really liked this one...especially the happy ending !

Sooki is the Saggy Baggy Elephant
A pleasant story on the adventure of a lonely elephant trying to find out what kind of animal he is.
Good for anyone
One week as a jr. high camp counselor, I was writing down names on a sign-up sheet with this book as the writing surface.Some girls came up that said they were bored, so I offered to paraphrase the book for them.
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Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - Elephants    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Classics    6. Elephants    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Preschool Picture Story Books    10. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    11. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Reviews (8)

Hop! Plop!
I am a child and family therapist as well as a mother of 3 year old twins and a 5 year old.I am a Mom first so when I first read this book I was so impressed with the concepts being taught behind the story of two friends whom appear to be from opposite worlds.As a professional who works with small children I can see myself using this book within play therapy to help teach problem solving, tolerance of personal and physical differences, how to make those differences be a positive not a negative and the benefits of compromise within relationships whether it be friends (as it was in the book) or family.It has wonderful lessons carefully woven throughout the delightful text and captivating illustrations.A must have for any pre-schooler.It is a daily request in our household.

A fresh approach...
What a fresh and warm approach to teaching kids about challenges, creative solutions and friendships. I have given this book to 3 of my nieces and friend's kids and they have all told me their kids love it. I look forward to their next book!

Hop!Plop!
What a fun book!Kids will learn about problem solving and working together (without even knowing it).The onomatopoeias (if that's how you spell and pluralize it) and the pictures make the book amusing and enjoyable.After reading it, my 4 years old and 2 year old (and I) were sliding down our own elephant trunks.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Animals - MiceHamstersGuinea Pigsetc.    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Elephants    6. Fiction    7. General    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mice    10. Playgrounds    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Social Issues - Friendship    13. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

do you have hurty feelings?
Fragility is a hippo who is very insecure.Her friends give her nice compliment but she always takes them as insults.Fragility cries all the time and her friends start to avoid her.Things change for Fragility one day when she decides to stand up to the neighborhood bully Rudy the elephant.Find out how Fragility turns her life around and learns some important like lessons.
One of the best children's books of the year
This is the story of Fragility, a hippopotamus who, despite her large size, was very fragile emotionally.Even when someone complimented her she managed to reframe it into an insult and was hurt again.So what happens when she is responsible for protecting the goal in the soccer match and the bully of an elephant decides to insult her?You'll have to read the book to get the answer."Hurty Feelings" is a fun read for children with well-drawn illustrations that are both detailed and humorous, and an excellent message, which makes it a highly recommended read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Animals - Mammals    3. Behavior    4. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    5. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 1-2    7. Elephants    8. Emotions    9. Fiction    10. General    11. Hippopotamus    12. Juvenile Fiction    13. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    14. Social Situations - Emotions & Feelings    15. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

When Babar and Celeste's new baby girl is born, everyone rejoices. Whatfun it is to watch little Isabelle learn to walk and play trumpet and rollerskate... and get lost in the mountains! After the family goes for a walk oneday, they discover young Isabelle is missing. Carelessly, Isabelle has forgottenwhat her papa told her last time she wandered off: never to disappear withouttelling her family where she is going. Eventually, the little rascal findsherself near the home of old family friends and ends up having a delightful dayplaying with them, until they see Babar on TV, desperately searching for hisdaughter. After a thrilling ride on a hang glider, the prodigal daughter returnsto the welcoming (if scolding) arms of her family.Read more

Reviews (5)

Good for daughters who are younger siblings
This delightful story is a complete ego trip for little girls who find themselves the youngest in a family of several siblings. It features many adventures, adoring older children, adoring parents, and a little girl who is the apple of everyone's eye.It also -- a bit subtly -- features beloved family friends who are a same-sex couple. This goes over the heads of the little ones.

The stuff you read to your child
I loved Babar as a kid.However, I only knew about the first three books. I was happy to see there were more.
Classic Babar, but be a little careful...
I just read this story to my four-year old daughter.It's a classic story from this author, nothing "wrong" with it, but you do need to watch out and may want to explain some parts.In the storyline, the girl elephant wanders off by herself and accepts a boatride from a stranger...then she knocks on the door of an unfamiliar house.Two male characters invite her inside and they all play together until they overhear a news alert that Babar is looking for his missing daughter, so they take her home. After reading it, I explained to my daughter that I didn't want her to wander off, accept boat rides from strangers or knock on unfamiliar doors and go inside a stranger's home.This story was written in a simpler era when concerns were a bit different than in today's world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Babies    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Elephants    6. Family - General    7. Fiction    8. Infants    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Lost children    11. Animal stories    12. Character books    13. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

A treat for the adults too...
I have a 1960 edition of Oliver and love to read it with my kids.Oliver the elephant has a simple and friendly conversation with everyone he meets throughout his day.This is one polite elephant.Mr. Hoff's unique use ofcolors and the light-hearted story will amuse you and make you want tosearch out more of his books.I have to admit that's why I logged on toAmazon today--and was flabbergasted to find 127 titles pop-up when I did asearch on "Syd Hoff".Looks like I've got some work to do! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Business, Careers, Occupations    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Children: Kindergarten    7. Circus    8. Elephants    9. Fiction    10. Juvenile Easy Readers    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Readers - Beginner    13. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Beginner   

Reviews (1)

inspiring
inspiring book that illustrates the beauty within all, hope for an endangered species, connection between humans, animals, and our planet. Proceeds of the book benefit this innovation collaboration- I plan to purchase gift copies for birthdays, holidays.. really wonderful book for all ages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Animals as artists    3. Art - Painting    4. Asiatic elephant    5. Behavior    6. Children's 9-12 - Animals/Pets    7. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    8. Children: Grades 1-2    9. Children: Kindergarten    10. Juvenile Fine Arts    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature    13. Mammals    14. School & Education    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / Animals / Elephants   

Editorial Review

Babar and Queen Celeste have just been married in this early story fromthe most famous of elephantine chronicles.They depart for their honeymoon in a hot-air balloon, and at first all seems wonderful as they glide over a charming coastal town that might be St. Tropez before the advent of tourism.Alas, a storm takes them out to sea and then dumps them on a desert island.The fierce, spear-carrying "savages" who subsequently attack them will remind you that this book was written and illustrated in 1934: they are as far from politically correct as you can get. And the war between the elephants and the rhinoceroses, which ends the story, is also problematic for a modern audience.But the travels and adventures in between show all the excitement and charm that has made the Babar series an enduring hit. (Ages 2 to 6) Read more

Reviews (1)

Another wonderful Babar adventure!
Babar is one of the most endearing characters in children's literature. This volume is a classic that belongs on any child's bookshelf. The story of Babar and Celeste's hot air balloon ride and subsequent adventures ininteresting locales fascinates kids, while broadening their culturalhorizons. Some mature themes that may disturb kids (war, cruel treatment bya circus ringmaster), but provide a change from the pastel bunny and kittystory genre. Thought provoking for kids mature enough to handle it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Animals - Elephants    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Babies & Toddlers    5. Children: Grades 3-4    6. Elephants    7. Fiction    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. People & Places - General    10. Picture books for children    11. Stories    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants