reported by Nigel Gimble, FictionFanatic.com

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will publish a picture book companion to one of this summer's most anticipated movies, M. Night Shyamalan's LADY IN THE WATER. Little, Brown will release LADY IN THE WATER, written by M. Night Shyamalan and illustrated by Crash McCreery, on June 21, 2006 to coincide with the release of Warner Bros. Pictures' Lady in the Water, starring Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man) and Bryce Dallas Howard (The Village), on July 21, 2006.

Originally written as a bedtime story for Night's children, LADY IN THE WATER is an imaginative reading experience that inspires readers to observe the world around them and consider their purpose on earth. Like Night's film work, this story offers mystery with surprising twists, a touch of magic, and a powerful message.

"Some stories just resonate with you as a storyteller and never leave you," said Shyamalan. "This is a story that just kept haunting me."

"M. Night Shyamalan is one of today's most intriguing storytellers and his films often celebrate the power of children," said Megan Tingley, Editor-in- Chief, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. "It is no surprise he has decided to turn his considerable talents to writing a storybook for a young audience. We are delighted to be introducing Night's work to young readers and their parents - who will undoubtedly find Night's tale as enormously compelling, inspiring, and moving as his films."

M. Night Shyamalan's four films "Unbreakable," "Signs," "The Village," and "The Sixth Sense" are amongst the highest grossing original movies of all time. He has received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay and continues to break records in home entertainment here and around the world. Lady in the Water is the seventh film he has directed.

LADY IN THE WATER features illustrations by Crash McCreery, one of the top character designers in the film industry. His work has been featured in "Jurassic Park," "Edward Scissorhands," "Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2 & 3," "Lady in the Water," and many other major motion pictures.