Babar is the son of the King of the Elephants but Babar's mother is killed by cruel hunters, and wandering alone he finds his way to France where he is brought up by the Old Lady in Paris. He eventually returns to the Elephant realm following the death of the previous King, who had eaten some poisonous mushrooms. In later books Babar marries his cousin, Celeste, and founds the city of Celesteville. Babar, who tends to wear a bright green suit, introduces a very French form of western civilization to the elephants, and causes them to dress in western attire.
Among Babar's other associates are the monkey Zephir, the old elephant counsellors Cornelius and Pompadour, his cousin Arthur, and his children, Flora, Pom, and Alexander. The Old Lady from Paris comes to live in the Kingdom as an honoured guest. Despite the presence of these counsellors, Babar's rule seems to be totally independent of any elected body, and completely autocratic.
Besides his Westernizing policies, Babar engages in warfare with the warlike rhinoceroses, who are led by King Rataxès.