Annette Tison and Talus Taylor’s popular 1970 children’s book character BARBAPAPA is truly the orphan as he is born, sprouting, unaided, in a garden. Frank's garden.

Frank’s mother said that BARBAPAPA was too big to live in their house so he went to the zoo. He found that he could change his shape and so he escaped to play with the other animals. He was kicked out of the zoo for leaving his cage.

"Barbapapa wandered into the city but the cars frightened him. There was nowhere he could go. He had no money and had no friends. Barbapapa was all alone and he cried." 1


BARBAPAPA saves people from a fire and traps an escaped leopard with his shape-shifting and becomes a hero. He is then allowed to go live with Frank's family and he makes many friends.

BARBAPAPA is fully self-sufficient as he can alter his shape to suit his fancy. He is also extremely malleable and eager to please. He will adopt any shape needed in order that he can stay.

 

 

 

 

 

1 BARBAPAPA, Annette Tison & Talus Taylor, Scholastic Book Services, NY, 1970.

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