Nathan Lane and Partner Devlin Elliott Will Release NAUGHTY MABEL Picture Book in Fall 2015

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers announced today that it will publish Naughty Mabel, the first-ever book by Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Nathan Lane and his partner Devlin Elliott. It will be illustrated by acclaimed illustrator and animator Dan Krall.

Scheduled to publish in Fall 2015, Naughty Mabel will be the first picture book in a series about Mabel, a fabulous French bulldog based on Lane and Elliott's very own naughty (but adorable) pup. Mabel is the queen of the Hamptons and has a penchant for getting her perfectly pedicured paws into trouble. Told with a signature mix of humor and charm, Mabel brings readers along as she gets into all sorts of hilarious hijinks, even with the best of intentions.

Lane and Elliott are delighted to bring their pampered pooch to the page. "I mentioned to Devlin how hilariously overprivileged our Mabel was becoming, and jokingly suggested we should write a children's book called 'Mabel of the Hamptons'. Devlin thought this was a great idea and actually sat down and wrote a first draft. I realized he meant business and so we dove in together, and many drafts laterNaughty Mabel was born," Lane says. "It has been such a blast writing this book. Having seen the brilliant work of Dan Krall, we are more excited than ever to give Mabel a voice, or at least the voice we hear in our heads. We hope you enjoy and love her as much as we do."

"I have long been a fan of Nathan Lane," says Justin Chanda, Vice President and Publisher of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, "but now I am an even bigger fan of his and Devlin. The energy and talent they have brought to this book is really impressive, together with the incomparable Dan Krall. Mabel will be a character kids of all ages will be clamoring for!"

World rights for two books were acquired by Chanda, who will also edit. Authors Lane and Devlin are represented by Brenda Bowen of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates; illustrator Dan Krall is represented by Abigail Samoun of Red Fox Literary.

NATHAN LANE is an award-winning star of stage, screen, and television. Currently on Broadway in Terrence McNally's It's Only a Play, he has won two Tony awards, five Drama Desk Awards, two Obies, and the Olivier Award. On television he has recently had recurring roles on Modern Family and The Good Wife. He has received six primetime Emmy Award nominations, and has won two daytime Emmys and the People's Choice Award. He has made over thirty-five films, including The Birdcage, The Lion King, Stuart Little, and The Producers. In 2006 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2008 he was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.

DEVLIN ELLIOTT is the co-owner of Maberry Theatricals, Inc. and is a Tony-nominated Broadway/Off-Broadway and West End producer. As a writer, he's finishing his first play, the second Naughty Mabel book with Nathan, and three TV pilots, one of which is in development at Anonymous Content.

DAN KRALL is an author, illustrator, and an animator. He worked as a character designer on the popular films How to Train Your Dragon and Coraline. He was also the art director for the television showsScooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated, Chowder, and Samurai Jack, as well as a Development Artist forFoster's Home for Imaginary Friends, The PowerPuff Girls, and Dexter's Laboratory. He is the author and illustrator of The Great Lollipop Caper and Sick Simon. He lives with his wife and daughter in Los Angeles.

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, one of the leading children's book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Beach Lane Books, Libros para niños, Little Simon®, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Paula Wiseman Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, and Simon Spotlight®. While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages. In addition to numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners, Simon & Schuster publishes such high-profile properties and series as Eloise, Olivia, Raggedy Ann & Andy™, Henry & Mudge®, The Hardy Boys®, Nancy Drew®, the Dork Diaries series, the Mortal Instruments series, Mike the Knight, and the original Cupcake Diaries and Creepover series. For more information about Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster, a part of CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, India, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos