Maurice Charles Willems is an American writer, animator, voice actor, and children's book author born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1968. He has worked across multiple media, including television animation and children's literature. Willems created the animated television series Sheep in the Big City for Cartoon Network and has contributed to other television projects including Sesame Street and The Off-Beats. In children's books, he is known for creating Knuffle Bunny and the Elephant & Piggie series.