Babar the Elephant (UK: /ˈbæbɑːr/, US: /bəˈbɑːr/; French pronunciation: [babaʁ]) is a fictional elephant character who first appeared in 1931 in the French children's book Histoire de Babar by Jean de Brunhoff.[1] The book is based on a tale that Brunhoff's wife, Cécile, had invented for their children.[2] It tells of a young elephant, named Babar, whose mother is killed by a hunter. Babar escapes, and in the process leaves the jungle in exile, visits a big city, and returns to bring the benefits of civilization to his fellow elephants. Just as he returns to his community of elephants, their king dies from eating a bad mushroom. Because of his travels and civilization, Babar is appointed king of the elephant kingdom. He marries his cousin, and they subsequently have children and teach them valuable lessons.[3][4]