Great news for Harry Potter fans! J.K. Rowling finally has a new children’s book to read and she’s releasing it in increments online.

The Ickabog was written by Rowling after the Harry Potter series completed, but she shelved the copy in order to publish a book for adults instead.

Courtesy of The Ickabog, J.K. Rowling

But now, she’s ready to share the story of The Ickabog with the world, releasing a chapter a day, from now until July 10th, on The Ickabog website.

The story was written as a bedtime story for her own children, but Rowling has decided to share it “to help entertain children, parents and carers confined at home during the coronavirus lockdown.”

Courtesy of The Ickabog, J.K. Rowling

The first two chapters are now online on the website, where readers learn that the Ickabog is a fearsome monster, said to eat children and sheep. They’re also introduced to King Fred the Fearless, the ruler of Cornucopia, and five-year-old Bert Beamish.

Courtesy of The Ickabog, J.K. Rowling

Fans have been enjoying writings released on Pottermore and in conjunction with the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them franchise, but the last major children’s novel published by Rowling was in 2007, with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows.

The Ickabog will be released later this year as a fully printed novel, with proceeds going to groups impacted by the pandemic.

Until then, Rowling is also encouraging her young readers to create illustrations of the Ickabog, with a competition being held to have their illustrations shared in the final printed books. Rowling herself won’t be judging, that decision is left up to the publishers in each country.

Courtesy of The Ickabog, J.K. Rowling

We’ve already read the first two chapters and are just dying to read the rest! 13 years is a long time to wait for more amazing stories from J.K. Rowling.

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