Mo Willems

Writing

Mo Willems

Born

1968-02-11 (58)

Place of birth

Des Plaines, Illinois, USA

Known for

Writing

Credits

58 titles

Mo Willems is an American writer of children's books who formerly worked as an animator and voice actor for film and television productions. He's a graduate from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, New York, USA.

Known for

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon poster
5.8

After Jay Leno's second retirement from the program, Jimmy Fallon stepped in as his permanent replacement. After 42 years in Los Angeles the program was brought back to New York.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014

Sheep in the Big City poster
6.6

Sheep in the Big City is an American animated television series which ran on Cartoon Network for two seasons, from November 17, 2000, to April 7, 2002. The series' pilot first premiered as part of Cartoon Network's "Cartoon Cartoon Summer" on August 18, 2000. Created by Mo Willems, the bulk of the show follows a runaway sheep, Sheep, in its new life in "the Big City". It also features several unrelated sketches and shorts, similar to The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show. With an emphasis on more "sophisticated" humor, using multiple forms of rhetoric from the characters to the plots, it was more popular with older audiences. It was also unusual in featuring many comic references to film-making and television broadcasting. At the time, the premiere of Sheep in the Big City was the highest-rated premiere for a Cartoon Network original series.

Sheep in the Big City

2000

Codename: Kids Next Door: Operation Z.E.R.O. poster
8.0

The villains of the Kids Next Door, lead by Father, join forces to resurrect the Ultimate Evil, Grandfather, a tyrant who once ruled the world many years ago when most of the villains were themselves kids. However, Father disgraced him that he can't even try to destroy the KND and the Villains were quickly betrayed when they are turned into Senior Citizombies, creatures that are immortal and can transform any living creature into one of them and slaves who are forced to make Tapioca to refuel Grandfather so he can find and destroy the Book of K.N.D.

Codename: Kids Next Door: Operation Z.E.R.O.

2006

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More! poster
8.0

Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More! is a 2000 Sesame Street video. It contains three episodes of Elmo's World.

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More!

2000

Sesame Street: The Alphabet Jungle Game poster
6.0

Elmo, Zoe and Telly are exploring the Alphabet Jungle, where letters grow on trees. Every letter from A to Y leads them on an animated alphabet adventure. But what about Z? What will happen if Zoe can't find her favorite letter? Come play the Alphabet Jungle Game and you'll find out!

Sesame Street: The Alphabet Jungle Game

1998

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience poster
7.7

A fun and funny tale about a sensitive, curious and rockin’ Naked Mole Rat named Wilbur who “scandalously” decides to (gasp!) get dressed! Find out what happens when Wilbur’s newfound love of rocking outfits rocks Naked Mole Rat society to its core.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience

2022

Film credits

2010s · 11 titles

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? poster
NR

In the fifth picture book in the New York Times best-selling Pigeon series by Mo Willems, Duckling asks for a cookie—and gets one! Do you think Pigeon is happy about that?

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

2012

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion poster
NR

This is the third and final book in the Knuffle Bunny trilogy. Trixie and her family set off on a fantastic trip to visit her grandparents in Holland! But it seems Knuffle Bunny has different plans. Join Trixie on this international adventure as she makes a very surprising and moving decision.

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion

2012

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog poster
6.0

Continuing to fill out its library of storybooks on DVD, Scholastic has now brought more of Mo Willems’s colorful tales to DVD with his narration accompanying animations based on his words and illustrations. The disc includes three stories to keep kids entertained as they learn about values such as cooperation and improve their problem solving skills. Mo Willems is a great children’s book author, so any issues with the release don’t stem from his work, but rather from the price for a single DVD release with only three stories when Scholastic will inevitably be releasing them as part of a larger set down the road (if they haven’t already) for a better value.

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog

2010

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late poster
NR

It's getting dark out, but one stubborn Pigeon is NOT going to bed! Children will love this interactive bedtime romp, which puts readers back in the driver's seat, deflecting Pigeon's sly trickery as he tries to escape his inevitable bedtime. Will you let him stay up late?

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late

2011

Hooray For Amanda And Her Alligator poster
NR

Sometimes Amanda surprises Alligator with books...sometimes Alligator eats them. But what happens when Amanda brings home a special surprise?

Hooray For Amanda And Her Alligator

2013

That Is Not a Good Idea! poster
NR

Inspired by the evil villains and innocent damsels of silent movies, Willems tells the tale of a hungry fox who invites a plump goose to dinner. As with the beloved Pigeon books, kids will be calling out the signature refrain and begging for repeated readings. The funny details in the full-color illustrations by three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems will bring nonstop laughter to story time.

That Is Not a Good Idea!

2015

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! poster
NR

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

2019

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs poster
NR

Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur...and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway. One day - for no particular reason - they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then - for no particular reason - they decided to go...someplace else. They are definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl.

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

2015

Nanette's Baguette poster
NR

Today is the day Nanette gets to get the baguette! Is she set? YOU BET! Mo Willems' hilarious new picture book, Nanette's Baguette, follows our plucky heroine on her first big solo trip to the bakery. But . . . will Nanette get the baguette from baker Juliette? Or will Nanette soon be beset with regret?

Nanette's Baguette

2018

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed poster
NR

Based on the Book by Mo Willems.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

2010

Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct poster
NR

Based on the Book by Mo Willems.

Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct

2011

2000s · 4 titles

1990s · 3 titles

Series credits

Behind the camera

Codename: Kids Next Door: Operation Z.E.R.O. poster
8.0

The villains of the Kids Next Door, lead by Father, join forces to resurrect the Ultimate Evil, Grandfather, a tyrant who once ruled the world many years ago when most of the villains were themselves kids. However, Father disgraced him that he can't even try to destroy the KND and the Villains were quickly betrayed when they are turned into Senior Citizombies, creatures that are immortal and can transform any living creature into one of them and slaves who are forced to make Tapioca to refuel Grandfather so he can find and destroy the Book of K.N.D.

Codename: Kids Next Door: Operation Z.E.R.O.

2006

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More! poster
8.0

Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More! is a 2000 Sesame Street video. It contains three episodes of Elmo's World.

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Singing, Drawing & More!

2000

Sesame Street: The Alphabet Jungle Game poster
6.0

Elmo, Zoe and Telly are exploring the Alphabet Jungle, where letters grow on trees. Every letter from A to Y leads them on an animated alphabet adventure. But what about Z? What will happen if Zoe can't find her favorite letter? Come play the Alphabet Jungle Game and you'll find out!

Sesame Street: The Alphabet Jungle Game

1998

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience poster
7.7

A fun and funny tale about a sensitive, curious and rockin’ Naked Mole Rat named Wilbur who “scandalously” decides to (gasp!) get dressed! Find out what happens when Wilbur’s newfound love of rocking outfits rocks Naked Mole Rat society to its core.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience

2022

An Off-Beats Valentine's poster
NR

Tommy of The Off-Beats and Beth of The Populars develop a crush on each other. September also reminisces about a female cat named February he was in love with. Repunzil tries to get September a new crush, and tries to give an escaping Tommy a valentine gift, and August tries to figure out how to get a girlfriend without the use of technology.

An Off-Beats Valentine's

1999

An Off-Beats Valentine's poster
NR

Tommy of The Off-Beats and Beth of The Populars develop a crush on each other. September also reminisces about a female cat named February he was in love with. Repunzil tries to get September a new crush, and tries to give an escaping Tommy a valentine gift, and August tries to figure out how to get a girlfriend without the use of technology.

An Off-Beats Valentine's

1999

Don't Let the Pigeon Do Storytime poster
10.0

A collection of live readings and sketch comedy inspired by Mo Willems' series of Pigeon books.

Don't Let the Pigeon Do Storytime

2020

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster poster
NR

Leonardo is truly a terrible monster-terrible at being a monster that is. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to frighten anyone. Determined to succeed, Leonardo sets himself to training and research. Finally, he finds a nervous little boy, and scares the tuna salad out of him! But scaring people isn't quite as satisfying as he thought it would be. Leonardo realizes that he might be a terrible, awful monster-but he could be a really good friend.

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster

2007

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster poster
NR

Leonardo is truly a terrible monster-terrible at being a monster that is. No matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to frighten anyone. Determined to succeed, Leonardo sets himself to training and research. Finally, he finds a nervous little boy, and scares the tuna salad out of him! But scaring people isn't quite as satisfying as he thought it would be. Leonardo realizes that he might be a terrible, awful monster-but he could be a really good friend.

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster

2007

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? poster
NR

In the fifth picture book in the New York Times best-selling Pigeon series by Mo Willems, Duckling asks for a cookie—and gets one! Do you think Pigeon is happy about that?

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

2012

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? poster
NR

In the fifth picture book in the New York Times best-selling Pigeon series by Mo Willems, Duckling asks for a cookie—and gets one! Do you think Pigeon is happy about that?

The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

2012

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion poster
NR

This is the third and final book in the Knuffle Bunny trilogy. Trixie and her family set off on a fantastic trip to visit her grandparents in Holland! But it seems Knuffle Bunny has different plans. Join Trixie on this international adventure as she makes a very surprising and moving decision.

Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion

2012

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale poster
NR

Trixie, Daddy and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood laundromat, but their exciting adventure takes an unexpected turn when Trixie realizes something is missing.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale

2006

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog poster
6.0

Continuing to fill out its library of storybooks on DVD, Scholastic has now brought more of Mo Willems’s colorful tales to DVD with his narration accompanying animations based on his words and illustrations. The disc includes three stories to keep kids entertained as they learn about values such as cooperation and improve their problem solving skills. Mo Willems is a great children’s book author, so any issues with the release don’t stem from his work, but rather from the price for a single DVD release with only three stories when Scholastic will inevitably be releasing them as part of a larger set down the road (if they haven’t already) for a better value.

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog

2010

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late poster
NR

It's getting dark out, but one stubborn Pigeon is NOT going to bed! Children will love this interactive bedtime romp, which puts readers back in the driver's seat, deflecting Pigeon's sly trickery as he tries to escape his inevitable bedtime. Will you let him stay up late?

Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late

2011

Life poster
8.3

In life, the big fish eats the little fish, and the bigger fish eats the big fish. To illustrate this basic truth, thirty-three animators each introduce a character who eats the one previously introduced and is eaten by the next animator's creation. It happens on land and at sea, with humans, animals real and imaginary, aliens, a few plants, and a robot. They are chomped whole, sliced, smashed, flattened, inhaled through straws, eaten from the inside out and the backside forward. Sometimes the little guy wins; nothing and no one is invincible. By the end, we've come full circle.

Life

1999

Hooray For Amanda And Her Alligator poster
NR

Sometimes Amanda surprises Alligator with books...sometimes Alligator eats them. But what happens when Amanda brings home a special surprise?

Hooray For Amanda And Her Alligator

2013

That Is Not a Good Idea! poster
NR

Inspired by the evil villains and innocent damsels of silent movies, Willems tells the tale of a hungry fox who invites a plump goose to dinner. As with the beloved Pigeon books, kids will be calling out the signature refrain and begging for repeated readings. The funny details in the full-color illustrations by three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems will bring nonstop laughter to story time.

That Is Not a Good Idea!

2015

Seymore the Snail poster
NR

Seymore the snail presents himself and talking about words of the Letter S.

Seymore the Snail

1998

Seymore the Snail poster
NR

Seymore the snail presents himself and talking about words of the Letter S.

Seymore the Snail

1998

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! poster
NR

Why does the Pigeon have to go to school? He already knows everything! And what if he doesn't like it? What if the teacher doesn't like him? What if he learns TOO MUCH!?!

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

2019

The Man Who Yelled poster
7.0

The misadventures of a man who goes about life inexplicably yelling at people, and the man who sees an opportunity to cash in on his talent.

The Man Who Yelled

1992

The Man Who Yelled poster
7.0

The misadventures of a man who goes about life inexplicably yelling at people, and the man who sees an opportunity to cash in on his talent.

The Man Who Yelled

1992

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs poster
NR

Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur...and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway. One day - for no particular reason - they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then - for no particular reason - they decided to go...someplace else. They are definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl.

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs

2015

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! poster
10.0

When a bus driver takes a break from his route, a very unlikely volunteer springs up to take his place -- a pigeon! But you've never met one like this before.

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

2009

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity poster
NR

Trixie can't wait to bring Knuffle Bunny to school and show him off. But an awful surprise awaits her: someone else has the exact same bunny! Thus begins an exciting, frustrating and ultimately revelatory twenty-four hours of chaos, where Trixie loses her beloved bunny and gains him back, along with something new: her very first best friend.

Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity

2009

Nanette's Baguette poster
NR

Today is the day Nanette gets to get the baguette! Is she set? YOU BET! Mo Willems' hilarious new picture book, Nanette's Baguette, follows our plucky heroine on her first big solo trip to the bakery. But . . . will Nanette get the baguette from baker Juliette? Or will Nanette soon be beset with regret?

Nanette's Baguette

2018

Iddy Biddy Beat Boy poster
9.0

A parable about art, propriety, and politics. A hip beat poet, who looks a lot like a child, reads poetry at the Ad Hoc Cafe; he's a success and Mr. Hipster, a powerful promoter, gets Iddy Biddy Beat's career moving with TV appearances, where the poet is a sensation. However, his poetry scandalizes Dr. Proper and his uptight wife, who arrange for Beat's arrest and imprisonment. The poet, sentenced for 10 to 20 years, is housed in a cell with an unsavory character.

Iddy Biddy Beat Boy

1993

The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! poster
NR

Buckle up for twists, turns, and emotional loop-de-loops in the most roller coaster-y Pigeon tale ever. Pigeon is ready for the next adventure.

The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!

2022

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed poster
NR

Based on the Book by Mo Willems.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

2010

Another Bad Day for Philip Jenkins poster
8.0

Philip Jenkins is unwanted. He walks head down, sad, in suit, hat, and wire-rim glasses. In this nearly wordless animation, bad things happen to him. First an elevator malfunction leads to a trip to the hospital: he leaves with his arm in a sling. Another accident at work results in another hospital visit. The same indifferent stretcher bearers and the same indifferent nurse see to his care. Now, his leg is in a cast as well as his arm. He soldiers on, using a cane. When a traffic sign malfunctions, it's back to the hospital; he leaves with bandaged head, piloting a wheelchair. But his woes aren't over yet. After one more mishap, Philip Jenkins finally has something to say.

Another Bad Day for Philip Jenkins

1994

Another Bad Day for Philip Jenkins poster
8.0

Philip Jenkins is unwanted. He walks head down, sad, in suit, hat, and wire-rim glasses. In this nearly wordless animation, bad things happen to him. First an elevator malfunction leads to a trip to the hospital: he leaves with his arm in a sling. Another accident at work results in another hospital visit. The same indifferent stretcher bearers and the same indifferent nurse see to his care. Now, his leg is in a cast as well as his arm. He soldiers on, using a cane. When a traffic sign malfunctions, it's back to the hospital; he leaves with bandaged head, piloting a wheelchair. But his woes aren't over yet. After one more mishap, Philip Jenkins finally has something to say.

Another Bad Day for Philip Jenkins

1994

No artwork available
NR

One of three standalone short films. The Populars try to trick The Misfits into thinking their shoelaces are untied! Unfortunately all doesn't go according to plan.

The Off-Beats: Your Shoes Are Untied

1995

Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct poster
NR

Based on the Book by Mo Willems.

Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct

2011

City-e-scape poster
8.5

Quick Draw McGraw goes to the big city to wipe out crime, but it really wipes him out.

City-e-scape

1999