The Ickabog, by JK Rowling
The Ickabog is a fanciful children’s tale by the author of Harry Potter. Just when you thought there could be nothing left in that amazing imagination, JK Rowling comes out with a fairytale worthy of the best storytellers.
It takes a bit to get into the story as she sets up tedious descriptions of the land of Cornucopia and its surrounding towns but once the story really begins it’s compelling to get to the end.
In short, there is a monster.
A town of terrified adults who want to destroy it. Some heroic children who try to save it. And a whole lot of adventure and yummy sounding food involved.
I have to say my favorite part was the last line “and they lived happily ever after”. Just because it is so corny and fairy-tale-ish.
Rowling originally wrote the story for her children.
When Covid locked down the world, she dusted it off and published it in free installments online for children (and adults!) stuck at home. Also during this time, an illustration competition was run for children on lockdown to illustrate the book. I find that very cool. JK is donating her net royalties from The Ickabog to her charitable trust, Volant, to help medical and frontline charities supporting vulnerable groups impacted by Covid-19.
I listened to The Ickabog on Audible, included in my membership at the time. I don’t know if it still is.
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