Just two months after the release of Troubled Blood, J.K. Rowling (also sometimes known as Robert Galbraith) has released her 14th novel, an original children’s fairytale titled The Ickabog.
Originally written as a gift to her two younger children, the story is set in the mythical land of Cornucopia, which is ruled by King Fred the Fearless. The entire story centres itself on the kingdom, its inhabitants and the legendary titular monster, The Ickabog.
Rowling decided to publish the story on the internet in instalments, stating that she “…decided to publish The Ickabog for free online, so children on lockdown, or even those back at school during these strange, unsettling times, can read it or have it read to them.” The chapters were posted from May to July and were available for a limited amount of time.
A contest was also held to encourage children aged 9 to 12 to illustrate art based on the story and get the chance for their works to be among the 34 featured in the different English and foreign editions of the book. A few of the winners were also selected to be on the online launch event featuring Rowling and hosted by Leah Boleto. The whole event was recorded by Rowling Library and can be viewed here below:
The book is available in both physical and digital formats wherever they are sold. It is also available in other languages such as Italian, German and Spanish. Other editions like Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Dutch, Simplified Chinese and Russian are to follow. The English audiobook is available and is narrated by Stephen Fry, one of the narrators of the Harry Potter audiobooks. It is published via Audible.
The net royalties of the book will be donated to charitable trust Volant to help medical and frontline charities supporting vulnerable groups impacted by COVID-19.
In addition, the promotion of the book continues as J.K. Rowling will be a guest on Graham Norton’s BBC Radio 2 Saturday morning show on November 14 at 10 a.m.
Check out the official The Ickabog site for more information about the book.