AceShowbiz - If you enjoyed Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, then a new kids’ show featuring some of its stars might catch your interest. Paramount+ recently announced The Elephant & Piggie Show!, an animated series based on Mo Willems’ popular children’s books, will feature the voices of Tituss Burgess and Ellie Kemper, who previously co-starred as best friends on Kimmy Schmidt.

In The Elephant & Piggie Show!, Burgess and Kemper lend their voices to Elephant Gerald and Piggie, literary best friends known for their comedic and heartwarming interactions. The series is designed as a warm, humorous pre-K show focusing on the ups and downs of friendship. Gerald is cautious and thoughtful, while Piggie is carefree and spontaneous, creating the perfect dynamic for preschool-age viewers to enjoy and learn from.

Adding to the cast, Neil Patrick Harris will voice the bus driver in The Pigeon Show! Starring The Pigeon, another new Paramount+ series inspired by Willems’ books. The Pigeon is a recurring character in both sets of stories and is known for his cheeky and persistent personality. Known from the beloved book Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, the character humorously tries to convince others to let him take the wheel, despite obvious limitations.

Both series draw from Willems’ New York Times best-selling books, which have long been favorites among young children and their families. The Elephant & Piggie books explore themes of friendship, problem-solving, and emotional expression, while The Pigeon books center on the lively antics of a pigeon who constantly seeks attention and tries to get his way.

Mo Willems, a distinguished author and three-time Caldecott Honor recipient, is personally involved in adapting his work for these shows through his Hidden Pigeon Company. His acclaimed accolades include honors for Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. The Pigeon character often makes surprise appearances in the Elephant & Piggie stories, creating a fun “Where’s Waldo?”-style element for readers.

The Elephant & Piggie Show! and The Pigeon Show! promise to bring Willems’ beloved characters to life with engaging storytelling and familiar voices from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. This casting choice adds a layer of nostalgia for parents who enjoyed the original series while introducing young audiences to timeless lessons about friendship and self-expression.

Paramount+ aims to offer quality preschool programming that both entertains and educates, leveraging the popularity of Willems’ books and the talents of Burgess, Kemper, and Harris. These new adaptations will likely resonate with families looking for fresh, meaningful content for their children inspired by well-loved literary characters.