Pixies frontman wrote a children’s book and Danny Devito narrated it – all to support children’s literacy

by | Dec 9, 2016 | MAGAZINES & BOOKS

A non-profit book project is matching artists across platforms to create a series of videos and one massive adult children’s book all to help kids learn how to read.


A non-profit book project is matching artists across platforms to create a series of videos and one massive adult children’s book all to help kids learn how to read.

The project, Stories for Ways & Means, has included the likes of Phil Lamarr, King Kruel and Nick cave, and this week they dropped a new video featuring a story written by The Pixies’ Black Francis/Frank Black with narration by the incredible Danny Devito.

Check out “Doug the Bug” below:

The project started 10 years ago when Jeff Antebi, the founder of Waxploitation records, had the idea to ask his favorite musical artists and contemporary painters to come together and collaborate on original children’s stories to benefit literacy programs, and an unprecedented “literary mixtape” was born. Today, thirty of those pairings have been compiled into a 350+ page book called Stories for Ways & Means. You can preorder your copy here – if you want it as an x-mas present, you’ll get a “thanks for supporting” card with a promise to receive the final in 2017.

Check out King Kruel reading Micachu’s “How to Escape from a Wasp” below:

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner is the former editor of GayRVA and RVAMag from 2013 - 2017. He’s now the Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, a state-wide NPR outlet based in Roanoke. You can reach him at BradKutnerNPR@gmail.com




more in art

There’s a Murder Coming to Richmond, and You’re Stuck on the Train

Virginia Repertory Theatre is kicking off its new season the way any sensible theatre should: with a train, a murder, and a detective who’s just trying to make sense of it all. Murder on the Orient Express is Agatha Christie’s great reminder that people are both awful...

Griffin in Summer: How a Tribeca Winner Was Filmed in Richmond

The new coming-of-age feature Griffin in Summer is already drawing attention for its Tribeca wins and upcoming theatrical release, but for producer Bobby Hoppey, the film carries an extra layer of meaning: it was made in Richmond, a city he’s connected to...

When Art Meets Activism: Environment at Risk at Glen Allen

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen is hosting Environment at Risk, a group show curated by Appalachian Voices’ Virginia field coordinator Jessica Sims. Installed in the Gumenick Family Gallery, the exhibition gathers paintings, prints, collage, sculpture,...

From Skate Parks to Tour Vans: Elyza Reinhart Shoots the Grind

Elyza Reinhart has been shooting shows since she was twelve, before she had a photo pass, before she even really knew what she was doing. That early start, and the nerves that came with it, still shape how she works today. Now based in Richmond, she’s finding new ways...

Writer’s Block | Four Poems by Breanna Hoch

A Sunday series from RVA Magazine featuring writers from Richmond and Virginia Writer’s Block is RVA Magazine’s Sunday series highlighting contemporary writers working in Richmond and across the Commonwealth. Each week, we feature original poems, short stories,...