4/12/2022: Forthcoming from 50 Watts Books in 2022 and 2023. While running the bookstore over the last year, I've been working on four books at the top of my list of dream projects. These books have fascinated (and confused) me for years -- longtime followers of the blog might recognize some -- and I'm excited to put them into the world.
To follow their progress and be alerted when preorders begin, sign up for the 50 Watts Books email list. I'll also keep this page up-to-date. Booksellers, please get in touch!
I will be selling some rare books by Tiger Tateishi and Kiyoshi Awazu to raise printing funds.


A Tiger in the Land of Dreams
by Tiger Tateishi
Translated by Yosuke Kitazawa
ISBN 9781957625003
32 pages, 7.5 x 10.25 inches, full color
Publication date: summer 2022 / hardcover
A Tiger in the Land of Dreams is the first English-language edition of a legendary picture book from 1984. Tiger Tateishi, well-known in the worlds of art and comics, takes us on a journey through a surreal land with Torakichi, a constantly-morphing green tiger. The artist saw this strange tiger as a combination of an animal and a plant. Suitable for all ages, but this is the type of book you buy for the dreamy artwork.


from A Tiger in the Land of Dreams by Tiger Tateishi


from A Tiger in the Land of Dreams by Tiger Tateishi

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The King of Circles
by Shuntarō Tanikawa
Designed and illustrated by Kiyoshi Awazu
Translated by Yosuke Kitazawa
The first English-language edition of a 1971 Japanese picture book. Suitable for all ages, but of particular interest to followers of the legendary graphic designer Kiyoshi Awazu.

24 pages, 9 x 9.25 inches, full color
Publication date, price & format -- coming soon


Translation forthcoming, but here's a taste of the incredible artwork

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Animal Land Where There Are No People
by Sybil and Katharine Corbet
A 50 Watts Production (which has been in the works for 10 years): we've given a colorful twist to a book originally published in Scotland in 1897 (when it was popular enough to inspire parody versions). It was written by a very imaginative 4-year-old (Sybil) and illustrated by her mother. Suitable for all ages.
"With art reminiscent of Mervyn Peake and nonsense reminiscent of Edward Lear, this gorgeous, crazy Victorian bestiary is a reminder that the best taxonomies are written by kids."--Carson Ellis
"A professional wit would be in labor to create these animals and these words, which Sybil has only to open her eyes and see, to open her lips and utter. In the field of pure Nonsense this is genius."-—from the introduction by Andrew Lang
64-page paperback, 6 x 6 inches, full color
Publication date: summer 2022 / e-book available now on Apple Books

from Animal Land by Sybil and Katharine Corbet / e-book available now on Apple Books


from Animal Land by Sybil and Katharine Corbet / e-book available now on Apple Books


from Animal Land by Sybil and Katharine Corbet / e-book available now on Apple Books


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Pange-Rehe Stories
Text and illustrations by Jüri Arrak
Translated by Adam Cullen
The first English-language edition of a 1975 Estonian book. It is only 20 pages long, but you'll never forget it.

20 pages, 7-7/8 x 9-3/8 inches, full color
Publication date and price -- coming soon

(Find me at 50 Watts Books.)

Nicole Claveloux, c1974, for a French edition of Alice in Wonderland
found in Les images libres - Illustrations for Children, 1966-1986

A selection of images found in books on the shelves at 50 Watts Books. Books go in and out of print, and I look forward to revisiting a post in a few years to marvel at what was available.

Nicole Claveloux, c1971 for Le Chat de Simulombula
found in Les images libres - Illustrations for Children, 1966-1986



from La Faune de Mars by Mobeius



from La Faune de Mars by Mobeius



Helene Jeudy, from Digital Species




Alain Gauthier, from Les Avatars de Pilou, 1977 found in Les images libres - Illustrations for Children, 1966-1986




A reprint of a 1925 Japanese edition of Aesop's Fables, illustrated by the legendary Takeo Takei (1894-1983)



A reprint of a 1925 Japanese edition of Aesop's Fables, illustrated by the legendary Takeo Takei (1894-1983)



The Birds' Broadcast, found in Locomotive by Julian Tuwim, illustrated by Lewitt and Him, c1938

(Find me at 50 Watts Books.)

Jan Konupek, from the cycle Dream Land, 1940, found in Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land

Some images from A Dream Within a Dream: Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land, a recent publication now available at 50 Watts Books


Frantisek Kobliha, The Black Cat, 1950, found in Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land



Frantisek Kobliha, Shadow, 1950, found in Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land




Alfred Kubin, Pendulum, 1903, found in Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land




Josef Vachal, 1946, The Masque of the Red Death, found in Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land