For the kids and kids at heart who grew up reading the “Harry Potter” series, best-selling author J.K. Rowling has released a new children’s book titled ”The Ickabog” online!
The book, which you can read here for free, is what Rowling describes as a “stand-alone fairytale” that she hopes will keep kids entertained during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the author, “The Ickabog” was supposed to be published shortly after finishing the “Potter” books, but she decided to work on adult fiction next, releasing books like “The Casual Vacancy” in 2012 and “The Cuckoo’s Calling” (as Robert Galbraith) in 2013.
After nearly a decade, Rowling finally picked up the draft for “The Ickabog” again and redrafted it. Now, it’s getting a serialized release, with a chapter or more to be posted on the book’s official website every weekday from 26 May to 10 July.
Without divulging much about the plot, Rowling said in a press statement that “The Ickabog” is “a story about truth and the abuse of power.” And in case you’re wondering, no, it isn’t a spin-off of the wildly successful Harry Potter series.
To make the launch even more exciting, an illustration competition was announced. Children are being encouraged to make illustrations for “The Ickabog” and the best drawings in each territory will be included in the finished book, which will be published in November 2020.
“I want to see imaginations run wild! Creativity, inventiveness, and effort are the most important things: we aren’t necessarily looking for the most technical skill!” Rowling writes on her website.
She also pledges all author royalties from “The Ickabog” to help groups impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visit the wonderful Wizarding World of Harry Potter that J.K. Rowling created! Plan your dream trip to Universal Studios Japan, Orlando, or Hollywood now, and keep the magic alive!
*Featured image from Featureflash Photo Agency on Shutterstock
