Which J.K. Rowling book was written for her children and published in 2020?

The Ickabog was written for J.K. Rowling’s children and published in 2020. It is a standalone political fairy tale, separate from the Harry Potter universe.

Rowling began writing the story around the time she was working on Harry Potter. She later kept the manuscript in the attic for years before revising it during the COVID-19 pandemic. The book was first published digitally in installments beginning in May 2020, with print editions following later that year.

The story is set in the fictional kingdom of Cornucopia. It centers on a frightening legendary creature called the Ickabog and explores how fear, propaganda, and corrupt leadership can affect a society.

Children’s illustrations were selected through a competition, and Rowling donated her royalties from the book to her charitable trust to support people affected by the pandemic. The Ickabog is therefore distinct from The Christmas Pig, another children’s novel Rowling published in 2021.