Paul Maar (German: [paʊ̯l maːɐ̯] ⓘ; born 13 December 1937) is a German novelist, playwright, translator, and illustrator notable for his contributions to children's literature.

After the early death of his mother he lived with his grandfather in the rural area of Theres in northern Bavaria.

He went to school at the Gymnasium in Schweinfurt, and later studied at the State Academy of Arts in Stuttgart.

Maar is the author of a large number of novels, short stories and plays.

His most read works are a series of books about Sams, a creature with red hair and a pig's nose that can grant wishes and, if it does, shows up on Sams-Day (i. e., Saturday), and the stories about the Little Kangaroo.