Laurent De BrunhoffEdit

Laurent de Brunhoff is a French-American author and illustrator best known for carrying forward the Babar series after the death of his father, Jean de Brunhoff. Born into a family that helped shape modern children’s literature, de Brunhoff preserved the distinctive charm and accessible storytelling that made Babar a enduring fixture in households on both sides of the Atlantic. Over the decades, he expanded the franchise with numerous titles and helped keep the character relevant for new generations, while the books continued to be translated into many languages and adapted for other media.

His work sits at the crossroads of European literary heritage and American publishing culture. By maintaining the family’s artistic approach—warm, clear illustration paired with understated, values-driven narratives—de Brunhoff reinforced a tradition in which children’s literature could be both entertaining and morally instructive. The Babar canon has also become a reference point in discussions about cross-cultural storytelling, adaptation, and the responsibilities of long-running franchises to balance tradition with evolving social norms.

Although the Babar franchise remains beloved by many families, it has not been without controversy. Debates about the portrayal of Africa and the interactions between civilizations are a frequent feature of discussions around the series. This article explains those debates from a traditionalist viewpoint that values continuity, parental guidance in children’s literature, and the role of timeless virtues in storytelling, while acknowledging that other perspectives exist and have shaped how the works are received today.