This story is based on a bedtime story Rowling told to her own children over many bedtimes. When the first coronavirus lockdown started it was decided to publish this a chapter at a time online - so that families and young readers had something to look forward to in the difficult weeks that followed. The story has now been published in a generous format hardback with illustrations provided by children from all over the world, all winners in the Ickabog artwork competition.
This is very definitely a fairy-tale in the traditional manner. The good land of Cornucopia gets slowly taken over by two devious Lords – gloriously named as Spittleworth and Flappoon – after a tragic accident whilst the King is on a hunt for the terrifying monster – the Ickabog. There follow awful machinations resulting in parents being thrown into the deep dark dungeons and their children being placed in a truly awful orphanage.
But, as with all good fairy-tales, the ingenious captives, both young and old, manage to slowly outwit the bad guys – and is the monster really as awful as he or she has been painted?
A delightful story that will appeal to many many children and families. The great joy of the book is the huge variety and creativity this book has stimulated in children all around the globe in their illustrations. A fun read!
The Ickabog is coming... A mythical monster, a kingdom in peril, an adventure that will test two children's bravery to the limit. Discover a brilliantly original fairy tale about the power of hope and friendship to triumph against all odds, from one of the world's best storytellers.
The kingdom of Cornucopia was once the happiest in the world. It had plenty of gold, a king with the finest moustaches you could possibly imagine, and butchers, bakers and cheesemongers whose exquisite foods made a person dance with delight when they ate them.
Everything was perfect - except for the misty Marshlands to the north which, according to legend, were home to the monstrous Ickabog. Anyone sensible knew that the Ickabog was just a myth, to scare children into behaving. But the funny thing about myths is that sometimes they take on a life of their own.
Could a myth unseat a beloved king? Could a myth bring a once happy country to its knees? Could a myth thrust two children into an adventure they didn't ask for and never expected?
If you're feeling brave, step into the pages of this book to find out...
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was J.K. Rowling's first novel, followed by the subsequent six titles in the Harry Potter series, as well as three books written for charity: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard. The Harry Potter novels have now sold over 450 million copies worldwide and been translated into 77 languages.
Click here to see the new Harry Potter books site with illustrations by Jonny Duddle.
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