Paramount To Adapt Popular Anthropomorphic Children’s Book Series

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A beloved book series featuring animal characters is becoming a TV show on Paramount+. Paramount+ already has a growing number of original shows for viewers of all ages, including kids’ programs like a new version of Dora the Explorer and the continuing adventures of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a new Elephant & Piggie series is coming to Paramount+. The Elephant & Piggie Show! will be geared towards preschoolers and set in the books’ town of Willemsburg. The show will follow the adventures of Gerald the Elephant, who is careful and thoughtful, and his enthusiastic friend, Piggie.

The main show will center around the two main characters and how their different personalities complement each other as they go on adventures celebrating their friendship. A second show, The Pigeon Show! Starring the Pigeon, is also planned. This new series will feature another character from the books – The Pigeon – and his persistent desire to be heard and finally get to drive a bus.

As a big fan of children’s books, I was excited to hear about these new shows! They’re both based on the work of Mo Willems, who’s become a total legend with his picture books. His Pigeon books started way back in 2003 with Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, and he followed that up with the Elephant & Piggie series, which kicked off in 2007 with Today I Will Fly! I’m really curious to see how they’ve adapted these stories – here’s what Jane Wiseman, who heads up originals at Paramount+, had to say about it.

Mo Willems’ charming characters, like Elephant and Piggie and The Pigeon, have captured the hearts of children and adults alike. His stories – whether about the ups and downs of friendship or figuring out what we truly need – are funny, heartwarming, and relatable. We’re excited to share these wonderful tales on Paramount+.

Both shows are being made by Willems’ Hidden Pigeon Company, named after one of his most well-known book series. However, these Paramount+ TV shows are only based on two of the many children’s book series he’s created. He’s also written the popular Knuffle Bunny stories—two of which won Caldecott Honor awards—and the Cat the Cat books, among others.

Both series offer exciting stories that expand on the original books. With Elephant and Piggie, expect fresh takes on their strong friendship. The Pigeon series will introduce new characters, including Pigeon’s grandmother, Nana-Dactyl, and his friends Ima and Doug Pigeon.

Both shows offer family-friendly entertainment, exciting adventures, and important lessons for young viewers, suggesting that Paramount+ is planning to create more shows based on Mo Willems’ books. This could lead to a wider range of educational and engaging pre-K content on the platform, utilizing well-loved stories to develop new, high-quality programs.

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2025-12-11 22:18