Get Family Activities Sent to You Weekly!

The New-York Historical Society Opens an Exhibit Dedicated to Children’s Author Mo Willems

The New-York Historical Society Opens an Exhibit Dedicated to Children’s Author Mo Willems


Beloved children’s author and illustrator, and former Sesame Street writer Mo Willems now has an exhibit all about his work at the New-York Historical Society.


Located on the second floor of the Upper West Side museum, the exhibit is called “The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems” and highlights the creative process that goes through Willems’ mind when coming up with book concepts. Some of his famous works include the New York Times bestseller Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, the Knuffle Bunny series, and Elephant and Piggie. Most characters and stories are set in New York City, capturing what life is like for a city dweller.

Visitors can view how his characters are developed, from original artwork to the final product, and are invited to listen to the family audio guide, narrated by Willems himself. At the end of the gallery, there is a store of some of Willems’ characters as stuffed animals, finger puppets, and bookends.



Willems revealed at the exhibit unveiling on March 17 that his idea of a successful book is one that looks like it took five minutes to create, even though it is a much longer process. His role model was Charles Schulz, cartoonist of Peanuts, and loved Snoopy growing up.

“The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems” will be on display from March 18 through September 25. There will be other weekend programming with Mo Willems. For more information, visit nyhistory.org.

How to Encourage Kids to Read for Fun

RELATED: To read more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter.




Want more content like this?


More Family Activities Articles:

Fall Adventures at Fort Ticonderoga

Offering 2,000 Acres of Breathtaking Landscape, Fort Ticonderoga is the Perfect Fall Destination!


Latest News:

Things to Do with Kids in NYC this Weekend

Enjoy these fun things to do with your kids in New York City this weekend. Start planning your weekend now with our editorially curated list of happen...


Family Activities:



Have a Laugh:

Best Memes of the Week for Parents

Here are the funniest parenting memes from Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit this week.
Samantha Neudorf

Author: Samantha Neudorf is a former editor at NYMetroParents. See More

Featured Listings:

Tenafly Pediatrics

Tenafly Pediatrics

Park Ridge, NJ Our practice offers comprehensive care from infancy to young adulthood.

Sky Zone Allendale

Sky Zone Allendale

Allendale, NJ Sky Zone is the world’s first indoor trampoline park. We’re the inventors of “fun fitness” and the makers of trampolines as far as the eye can see. We...

Otto Specht School

Otto Specht School

Chestnut Ridge , NY At the Otto Specht School, we work to discover each child's path to lifelong learning, offering a variety of educational programs designed to meet the...

Toyriffic2 Toy Store

Toyriffic2 Toy Store

Pomona, NY We are a unique, boutique toy store in Pomona, NY offering a great selection of Melissa & Doug crafts and many other quality, affordable educational t...