Babar and Celeste turn the Celesteville train station into a museum filled with elephant art inspired by master painters.
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Amazon.com 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) --Emilie Coulter
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 3-With the help of an architect and friends, Babar and Celeste decide to establish a museum in the old Celesteville train station and donate their extensive art collection. Readers follow along as de Brunhoff's lighthearted offering touches on how such institutions might be created, how to behave in a museum, and art appreciation. Celeste's most valuable instructions for small children: "look, don't touch, and tell me what you see" precedes Babar's timely reminder, "there are no rules to tell us what art is." The Celesteville museum exhibits echo noted artworks from Rubens to Cezanne, Whistler to Pollock, as more than 30 major works (imitated with pachyderm subjects) fill the pages. Consider this an introduction to museums for the youngest readers, especially for Babar fans. Older students will find entertaining comparisons to classic art collections. For a closer pairing with masterworks, share Jacqueline Weitzman's You Can't Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum (Dial, 1998). A fine choice for all libraries.
Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A balloon ride over Celesteville leads to Babar and Celeste deciding to turn in an abandoned train station into a museum in which they can display their great collection of fine paintings. Everyone in town gets more and more excited waiting for the big day when the museum is opened and everyone can see everything that is hanging on the walls inside. The paintings might be intended for the elephants and other animal friends of Babar and Celeste and this book might be intended for younger readers, but the readers who will most enjoy Laurent De Brunhoff's book are going to be those old enough to appreciate the witty elephant-inspired version of great paintings from Michaelangelo's "Creation of Man" and Sandro Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" to George Surat's "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" and Edvard Munch's "The Scream." There is just something intrinsically enjoyable about taking Leonardi Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and making the lady with enigmatic smile an elephant, and the idea of doing the same thing with Vincent Van Gogh's "Self Portrait" is hysterical since Babar is an African elephant and not an Indian elephant. The more you know about great art the more you will enjoy strolling through the galleries with Babar and his family. The book also includes a pull-out poster of the delightful art found in "Babar's Museum of Art." The adventures of Babar have been delighting children for half a century and this is a charming addition to the series. It should also inspire its young readers to check out the "real" versions of these great paintings so that they can find out what the adults are chuckling about as they enjoy "Babar's Museum of Art.... Read more ›
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Mike
Format:Hardcover
My wife's parents gave this book to my daughter. I was as delighted as she was! I grew up on Babar. What a lovely children's book! My four year old daughter absolutely adores it. Buy this for the children in your life and they will love it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Some of us remember having "Babar" books read to us when we were children. This book rekindles those warm thoughts while providing an interesting, entertaining look at art and life.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Babar fan
Format:Cards
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.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Laura Gaines
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I got this book for a baby shower gift. Guests were asked to bring their favorite childhood book. I remember loving this book as a child, not only b/c I loved the Babar character, but the all the pictures are amazing and fun in this book. When I got the book in the mail, I sat down and re-red the book for the first time since I was child (years and years later I might add...). The book was better than in real life than my memory did it justice. Not only were the pictures fantastic, but the story line was fun too. It teaches kids to appreciate art and to use their imagination when looking at art. Art is what you make of it and different to each person. Overall, fantastic book! Highly recommend for a young child.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It's beautiful and teaches kids (and parents) how to appreciate art in a simple way. Lifelong lesson that demystifies art. Love it. It engaged my son since he was 3 and he's 4 and still loves it.
By OC sculptor
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
fun way to teach kids about art. nice and substantial(heavy) item. it feels high quality! The story is cute too.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book, Missing Poster
I give this book five stars for content; it's a delightful way to introduce children to art, and adults will find plenty of amusing touches as well. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Linda Wightman
2.0 out of 5 stars
Order incomplete
Great to have the book. However, it was to have the pull-out poster which is missing. Now I have to return the book.
Not happy about that.
Not happy about that.
Published on February 21, 2011 by AB
5.0 out of 5 stars
So fun!
This book is such a fun adventure into the world of art for young children. Babar is a classic cartoon and makes for an enjoyable time for both parents who like art as well as... Read more
Published on July 25, 2010 by javagoldengirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Every child needs this book
The story and illustrations are top-notch. This book is an excellent tool for children learning to appreciate art and artists. Every child should own a copy of this book!
Published on July 7, 2007 by Aimster
4.0 out of 5 stars
Note Cards
Buyer beware -- these note cards fold to 3"x5".
Published on May 19, 2004
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