Michael Ian Black to Publish Two Children's Books With Simon & Schuster

The multitalented Michael Ian Black has signed for two additional children's books with Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. The first book, entitled Naked!, again pairs Black with artist Debbie Ohi, who illustrated his most recent bestselling picture book, I'm Bored, which was a New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2012.

Naked!, which is scheduled for publication in Summer 2014, is the story of a young boy who refuses to put on clothes after his bath and runs around the house causing naked chaos. Naked! is Black's fifth picture book with Simon & Schuster, and his second collaboration with Ohi.

"I'm thrilled to be working again with everybody at S&S Books for Young Readers," says Michael Ian Black. "In the spirit of my past books, I will continue striving to ensure that kids learn almost nothing from my works."

"For four children's books now, Michael Ian Black has shown that he instinctively knows what kids find funny," says Justin Chanda, Vice President & Publisher of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, who will edit the books. "Michael's humor matched with Debbie's Style and charm has been a dream pairing. I am thrilled to have the team back together with Naked!"

Michael Ian Black's two-book deal, which is for world rights including audio, was negotiated by Justin Chanda and Barry Goldblatt of Barry Goldblatt Literary LLC. Debbie Ohi's deal as the illustrator for Naked! was negotiated by Chanda and Ginger Knowlton of Curtis Brown.

Michael Ian Black is a writer, comedian, and actor who has created and starred in many television series, including Michael and Michael Have Issues, Stella, and The State. Michael regularly tours the country as a stand-up comedian and is the bestselling author of the book My Custom Van (and 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays That Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face) and the children's books Chicken Cheeks, The Purple Kangaroo, A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea, and I'm Bored. Michael lives in Connecticut with his wife and two children. Debbie Ridpath Ohi is the illustrator of I'm Bored, a picture book by Michael Ian Black. Her other published works include short nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and a nonfiction book for writers. She lives in Toronto, Canada.

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