We talk a lot about "brain rot" in the digital age, but Elephant & Piggie is the literal antidote. It’s what experts call "social-emotional learning" (SEL), but to your kid, it’s just Gerald (the neurotic elephant) and Piggie (the impulsive optimist) being weird.

Here is why these books are actually a parent's best friend:

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For years, Mo Willems was the ultimate holdout. He didn't want his characters turned into generic 3D-animated "content" that kids just stare at. But the news is out: The Elephant & Piggie Show! has been greenlit for Paramount+.

Here’s the Screenwise take: usually, we’re skeptical when a perfect book series gets a "streaming glow-up." But Willems is deeply involved through his "Hidden Pigeon Company," and the goal is to keep that same "best-friending" energy.

The show will take place in "Willemsburg" (clever) and will focus on the messy, joyful art of friendship. If it holds true to the books, it won't be passive viewing—it’ll be the kind of show that asks kids to participate, much like Bluey does with imaginative play.

If you’re building a home library or looking for the "best" ones to check out first, start here:

This is a psychological thriller for toddlers. Gerald spends the entire book agonizing over whether to share his ice cream. By the time he decides, the ice cream has melted. It’s a perfect way to talk about the "cost" of indecision and the joy of a friend showing up for you anyway.

If your kid struggles with "are we there yet?" or "is it my turn on the iPad?", this is the one. Piggie has a surprise for Gerald, but Gerald has to wait. And wait. It validates that waiting is hard, but the payoff is worth it.

This is the "meta" one. The characters realize they are being read by a human. It’s hilarious and teaches kids about the relationship between a creator and an audience—a concept that becomes very relevant once they start watching YouTube.

Once your kid is hooked on the Elephant & Piggie dynamic, you can branch out into the wider "Mo-verse."

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Ages 3-5: This is the sweet spot for read-alouds. Focus on the funny voices and the physical comedy in the drawings.

Ages 6-8: This is the "I can read it myself" phase. The books use repetitive text and large fonts, which builds massive confidence in new readers. Don't be surprised if they want to "perform" the books for you.

Safety Considerations: Honestly? There are almost zero. These books are as "safe" as media gets. The only "hazard" is your kid wanting to read The Thank You Book for the 400th time in a row.

In terms of the upcoming Paramount+ show, the main "risk" is the temptation to let the screen do the work. The magic of Elephant & Piggie is the dialogue. If you watch the show, try to keep the conversation going afterward. Ask: "Why was Gerald worried?" or "What would you have done if Piggie broke your toy?"

The real genius of these books isn't the reading level; it's the emotional honesty.

Mo Willems doesn't pretend that kids are always nice. He acknowledges that they are sometimes selfish, loud, and scared of things that seem small to adults (like a "Big Guy" taking a ball).

When we read these with our kids, we aren't just checking off a "literacy" box. We're giving them a vocabulary for their feelings. When a kid says, "I feel like Gerald right now," they’re telling you they feel anxious and overwhelmed. That’s a huge win for any intentional parent.

Elephant & Piggie is the rare "perfect" media franchise. It’s funny enough for parents to enjoy, simple enough for kids to master, and deep enough to actually improve your family's emotional intelligence.

Whether you're sticking to the paperbacks or getting ready for the Paramount+ premiere, Gerald and Piggie are the kind of digital-era companions we actually want in our kids' lives.

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Learn more about how to balance "educational" vs "entertainment" screen time