Melting ice cream mountains. Bubblegum flowers. Coats made of live kittens. Why, yes, we are talking about a children’s story written by My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. What else could it be?
It’s called “Oslo and Plum”, and you can find it in Waxploitation’s new charitable book project Stories for Ways and Means. Waxploitation founder Jeff Antebi has been working on the short-story collection for the last 10 years, compiling “grown up children’s” tales from musicians like Tom Waits, Justin Vernon, Nick Cave, and Frank Black. Those stories were then brought to life with the help of some acclaimed visual artists.
Some of the tales have been turned into animated shorts, and Waxploitation has today made the visual accompaniment for “Oslo and Plum” available for streaming. It features bright, twisted illustrations by Jacob Escobedo, as well as narration by Mad TV’s Phil LaMarr. It’s a curious thing, James’ story, as the candy-coated garishness of his world borders on the grotesque (describing a smell as “hot fish” isn’t helping, either). It’s Dr. Seuss on acid, and kids will love it.
Guest narration for future stories will feature Danny DeVito, Joey Bada$$, Zach Galifianakis, and more. You can pre-order the 350-page book here, though a release date has yet to be announced. All proceeds benefit non-profits and NGOs like Room to Read, Pencils of Promise, and 826 National, all of which focus on children’s literacy issues.
