The writer JK Rowling, author of Harry Potter, published three more chapters of her new children’s books, The Ickabog, this Wednesday morning (27). She will publish the entire book for free on the internet.
Every business day, new chapters will be published on the fairy tale’s official website. The last chapter will be published online on July 10. In November, the book will be released in printed and digital versions.
For now, the texts are available only in English.
Chapters of The Ickabog
Check out below all chapters of The Ickabog published until now. Just click to read them:
- Chapter 1: King Fred the Fearless
- Chapter 2: The Ickabog
- Chapter 3: Death of a Seamstress
- Chapter 4: The Quiet House
- Chapter 5: Daisy Dovetail
- Chapter 6: The Fight in the Courtyard
- Chapter 7: Lord Spittleworth Tells Tales
- Chapter 8: The Day of Petition
Political fairy tale
J.K. Rowling says that the history of her political fairy tale was not based on any recent events, as she had the idea over a decade ago.
“The themes are timeless and could apply to any era or any country.”J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling claimed she wrote the book while working on Harry Potter. The plan was to publish it after The Deathly Hallows’ (2007) release, but she wanted to have a break from publishing. She then focused on publishing The Casual Vacancy and The Cuckoo’s Calling and left the project in her attic.
When put into lockdown, J.K. Rowling decided to bring the manuscript back, after seeing children stuck at home due to the coronavirus outbreak. She edited it and decided to publish it for free in a tentative to entertain those in quarantine.
The author said in her official website that she used to read the book for her youngest children, who are now teens. The Ickabog, according to herself, is a book written to be read to children out loud, but readers between the ages of 7 and 9 can read on their own if they want to.
“As I worked to finish the book, I started reading chapters nightly to the family again. This was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my writing life”, said Rowling.
JK Rowling releases children’s book for free on internet (Photo:JK Rowling/Release)Illustration Contest
J.K. Rowling opened a contest for children to illustrate the physical version of The Ickabog. Each publisher around the world will be able to choose the drawings they like best to add to their foreign editions.
The author will not judge the illustrations but said she will keep an eye on Twitter, in case a mother or father send her an illustration for their child. She might comment on the illustrations sporadically.
Until now, only residents of the United States or the United Kingdom will be able to join the contest. Readers from other countries will be able to join it soon, according to the book’s official website.
JK Rowling releases children’s book for free on internet (Photo:JK Rowling/Release)Read more about Harry Potter, The Ickabok and JK Rowling on POTTERISH
