Which platform first published J.K. Rowling’s children’s book The Ickabog online?

J.K. Rowling first published The Ickabog online on The Ickabog website. She released the children’s story in installments from 26 May to 10 July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rowling had written the manuscript years earlier, but it had not been published. She described it as a standalone fairy tale rather than a Harry Potter story. The online release allowed children and families to read new sections while many schools and communities were affected by lockdowns.

The project also included a children’s illustration competition. Rowling invited young readers to create artwork inspired by the chapters, and selected illustrations were included in later editions. The printed book was published by Hachette Children’s Group in November 2020, with royalties donated to projects supporting groups particularly affected by the pandemic. The Ickabog therefore has both a literary origin in Rowling’s earlier work and a publication history tied to 2020.