Tom Waits, Frank Black, Jim James, Nick Cave among songwriters contributing to ‘Stories for Ways and Means’ book.

Waxploitation founder Jeff Antebi had the idea 10 years ago to bring world-class songwriters and visual artists together to collaborate on a collection of children’s stories for charity. Now, just in time for the holidays, Stories for Ways and Means, is available for pre-order, and boy does it look good.

Nick Cave, Frank Black (Pixies), Tom Waits, Allison Mosshart (The Kills, Dead Weather), Kathleen Hannah (Bikini Kill, The Julie Ruin), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Gary Numan, Jason Lytle (Grandaddy) and Laura Marling are among the 30 songwriters who have contributed original stories that have been compiled into a beautifully illustrated 350 page book. There are also a series of short promo films with narration by Danny Devito, Zach Galifianakis, Nick Offerman and others. It should be noted that, although these are children’s stories to benefit children, this book is not for kids as it includes “outre art, weird images, graphic displays of nasty stuff and cuss words.”

Proceeds from book sales will go to a number of non-profit organiztions, including Room to Read, Pencils of Promise and 826 National, who’s mission it is to promote and raise funding for children’s literacy programs around the world. Watch the trailer for Stories for Ways and Means below.