by Ann Meinzen Hildebrand (1991)
In 1931 Jean de Brunhoff introduced French children to a little elephant by the name of Babar, a gentle, charming character whose journey from orphaned forest dweller to dapper, convivial sophisticate is chronicled in L'Histoire de Babar, the first in a series of stories that has captivated children the world over. In this book and the six that followed, de Brunhoff created an idyllic world in which Babar, wearing spats and driving a little red convertible, marries, has children, travels extensively, and is eventually crowned king of the elephants, all the while espousing a quintessentially French ideal--bonheur--and placing a high premium on family affection, discipline, and benevolence. Laurent de Brunhoff finished some of the manuscripts left incomplete on his father's death in 1937 and then wrote Babar stories of his own, continuing a storytelling legacy in which the perplexities of modern living are always reconciled with traditional values. The rendering of situations in which aplomb and elegance occur simultaneously with action and adventure is the hallmark of the de Brunhoffs' illustrations, so distinct with their bold lines and primary colors. In her unique study of the Babar milieu, Ann Meinzen Hildebrand looks at the de Brunhoffs' complete works, analyzing the thematic development of the stories and commenting on the essential role of the illustrations. Acknowledging the differences between the work of father and son, Hildebrand attributes the series' continuing popularity to the way in which both artists have created an elephant cosmos that is a mirror of real and ideal life. She shows how de Brunhoff pere et fils have eschewed simple "animal fantasy" for fascinating characters who respond to everyday situations, both tragic and frivolous, thoughtfully and act on the principles of perseverance, patience, hope, and courage. Hildebrand's comprehensive study establishes the genius of the de Brunhoffs and explains how one kindly, nondidactic elephant in a derby hat has become such a socializing force for young readers.
Nicholas Fox Weber
His tales translated into 17 languages, Babar the elephant fled the jungle and entered Western civilization in 1931 in a book by the de Brunhoffs. Here, for the first time, is a fascinating look at the story behind Babar and his creators.
Laura Miller
THE MAGICIAN'S BOOK is the story of one reader's long, tumultuous relationship with C.S. Lewis'The Chronicles of Narnia. Enchanted by its fantastic world as a child, prominent critic Laura Miller returns to the series as an adult to uncover the source of these small books' mysterious power by looking at their creator, Clive Staples Lewis. What she discovers is not the familiar, idealized image of the author, but a more interesting and ambiguous truth: Lewis's tragic and troubled childhood, his unconventional love life, and his intense but ultimately doomed friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien. Finally reclaiming Narnia "for the rest of us," Miller casts the Chronicles as a profoundly literary creation, and the portal to a life-long adventure in books, art, and the imagination.
Serge Bloch
A small boy taking a walk picks up a little line he finds lying on the sidewalk. Putting it in his pocket, he forgets about it entirely. But the little line has other ideas . . .Enter the magical, creative world of the renowned French artist, Serge Bloch, where anything can happen, and the discovery of an ordinary little line can result in the most marvelous adventure.
John Ortved
The Simpsons is the world's most popular entertainment phenomenon, regularly voted on both sides of the Atlantic as the best TV show ever made. "Simpsons Confidential" is the uncensored, unauthorised oral history of the show from the people who made it happen. It takes you into the inner sanctum of the series to reveal the mechanics and politics of how The Simpsons became of global significance - from Matt Groening drawing his first Homer on the ride over to pitch the show, to Conan O'Brien and the other Harvard comedy geniuses taking us into the daily life of the writing room. Animators, writers, actors, directors, producers, executives and celebrity guest stars - everyone from Rupert Murdoch down - all offer their opinions, insights and stories. Positively fizzing with indiscretions and intrigue, here at last is the book that legions of Simpsons fans have been waiting for.