The Ickabog was J.K. Rowling’s first published children’s book after the Harry Potter series.
The Ickabog is a standalone political fairy tale set in the fictional kingdom of Cornucopia. Its story follows a ruler and a society affected by fear, misinformation, and abuses of power. Although it is aimed at children, its themes include propaganda, inequality, and the consequences of authoritarian rule.
Rowling originally wrote the story for her own children and later released it online in installments during 2020. A printed edition followed that year, with proceeds donated to charitable projects supporting groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The book is separate from the Harry Potter universe. It is also not the same as The Christmas Pig, which Rowling published in 2021. The Tales of Beedle the Bard appeared earlier, in 2008, and is connected to the wizarding world rather than being her first post-series children’s novel.