The Ickabog was published in 2020 as a J.K. Rowling children’s story about a boy named Jack.
The story is set in the fictional kingdom of Cornucopia, where a ruler and his advisers respond to rumors about a monster called the Ickabog. Jack is one of the children drawn into the consequences of fear, propaganda, and political wrongdoing. The book combines fairy-tale elements with a darker examination of how false stories can affect a society.
Rowling wrote the story years earlier but published it during the COVID-19 pandemic. She initially released chapters online for children who were spending more time at home, then published the completed book in print and digital forms in 2020.
The international publication was accompanied by an illustration competition for children. Selected illustrations appeared in editions of the book, and Rowling donated her royalties to charitable causes connected with the pandemic. The work is separate from the Harry Potter universe.