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The Ickabog
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
130 posts | 55 read | 1 reading | 41 to read
The Ickabog is coming... A mythical monster, a kingdom in peril, an adventure that will test two children's bravery to the limit. Discover a brilliantly original fairy tale about the power of hope and friendship to triumph against all odds, from one of the world's best storytellers. The kingdom of Cornucopia was once the happiest in the world. It had plenty of gold, a king with the finest moustaches you could possibly imagine, and butchers, bakers and cheesemongers whose exquisite foods made a person dance with delight when they ate them. Everything was perfect - except for the misty Marshlands to the north which, according to legend, were home to the monstrous Ickabog. Anyone sensible knew that the Ickabog was just a myth, to scare children into behaving. But the funny thing about myths is that sometimes they take on a life of their own. Could a myth unseat a beloved king? Could a myth bring a once happy country to its knees? Could a myth thrust two children into an adventure they didn't ask for and never expected? If you're feeling brave, step into the pages of this book to find out... A beautiful digital edition, brought to life with full-colour illustrations by the young winners of The Ickabog competition.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
sdbruening
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Mehso-so

The narrative was not a style I would expect from JK Rowling. It seemed overly simplistic, especially compared to how riveting Harry Potter is. There was a lot of death for a children‘s story. Most of it was pretty depressing until the last quarter. Some names were funny and revealing. I‘m glad everything turned out well in the end. The artwork from children in a contest was a cute idea but it made the illustrations really disjointed.

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Texreader
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Having finished the tagged book, I have another bingo! #scarathlon #batbrigade #scarathlonatoz #scarathlonatozbingo @Catsandbooks

Catsandbooks Yay!! 🎉 👏🏼 13mo
37 likes1 comment
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Texreader
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

I loved this book; it‘s needed in our starkly divided political climate—for all parties. A king, especially his advisors, create a horrific backstory about the existence of ickabogs. The people are forced for various reasons to believe this story. This results in high taxes, executions, and imprisonment to prop up the lies. In true Rowling fashion, teens save the day. I‘m a strong believer in a healthy distrust of those who can tax and imprison ⬇️

Texreader us, or in the least “ban” people and/or their beliefs, especially if we don‘t toe the party line. Well written, and dark. So I wouldn‘t share this with younger kids. #Scarathlon #batbrigade #letterI #scarathlonatoz @Catsandbooks (edited) 13mo
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼💚👻 13mo
47 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Texreader
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Jari-chan So lovely 😍 13mo
ShelleyBooksie Beautiful 13mo
TieDyeDude Cozy 🫖☺️ 13mo
Catsandbooks Love it! 💛 13mo
51 likes4 comments
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Texreader
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 13mo
Jari-chan Wow! 😍 13mo
Catsandbooks Looks great! 🧡 13mo
42 likes3 comments
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Texreader
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Help! I‘m assembling these cards. Favorites? Suggestions?

I‘ll be stamping the sentiments after assembly.

Another craft day! #scarathlon #batbrigade @Catsandbooks

Librarybelle I like the country theme! 13mo
Jari-chan I like the first one 😊 13mo
dabbe 🧡 all of them! 🤩🤩🤩 13mo
Catsandbooks They're all cute, but my favorite is the bottom left 13mo
36 likes4 comments
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Texreader
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Catsandbooks So cute and cozy! 🧡🍁 13mo
44 likes1 comment
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Texreader
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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My fourth audiobook for the day! This one up next!! #scarathlon #batbrigade @Catsandbooks

Catsandbooks 👍🏼💚 13mo
49 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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hannah-leeloo
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Yay for book mail

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jitteryjane724
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

This book was obviously a giant metaphor for the situations in so many societies that arise when selfish and cowardly men are in power. Even so, it was a precious story and if I had children I'd cherish the experience of reading this book with them and talking about the importance of kindness and integrity.

And not gonna lie, I sorta wish I had an ickabog friend.

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jitteryjane724
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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I love that the illustrations have been done by children around the world. At the end of the book, each illustration is extrapolated and the medium and materials are given. Illustrations have been done by colored pencil, pencil crayons, markers, and gel pens. It's so wonderful, creative, and makes me want to draw (but not this well, alas).

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jitteryjane724
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Excited to start this one! I love her whimsical fairy-tale style as well as her talent for making her characters so relatable. I feel less alone when I read her books.

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SpeculativeFemale
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

I'm calling this book a pick, though with some reservations. Setting my issues with the author aside (the book was a gift), this story does have some fun moments and important lessons. It did also drag a bit and repeat itself a bit in places, as well. Overall, I enjoyed it, though not as enthusiastically as some of her previous work.

And I just pulled out the Doctor blanket for a fun background 🙃

Laughterhp Oo I love that blanket!! 3y
30 likes1 comment
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IamIamIam
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Mehso-so

A fairy tale about how lies become hurtful when they're not controlled & kindness is the best weapon, this was a little bit too long through the middle. I understand it was written during 2020 for families to read aloud together but it could have been edited down a bit. #Bookspin2020 #January @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks I quite like that cover, though!! 3y
IamIamIam @TheAromaofBooks It is great and the best part is that it's illustrated with pictures drawn by children. 😁 3y
24 likes2 comments
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IamIamIam
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Skimming my way through this slow, repetitive attempt at a fairy tale but I'm really not enjoying it. The lesson is clear but it's taking too long to get through and I'm frustrated. The pace is so slow, I feel like nothing is happening. 😴😴
#Bookspin2022 #January

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NikkiKey94
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

I bought this when it first came out and it‘s taken me forever to finally read it. I thought it was a very cute story and ultimately I think the lesson it taught was the only true monsters are man itself. 4🌟!

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Nik_reads
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book. However, if you are planning on reading it with your young kiddos I would scan through it first. It could be considered somewhat dark. It really is a great story!

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apoisedquill
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

Say what you want about the woman, but I cannot deny that Rowling is still one hell of a talented writer and storyteller. The Ickabog is marketed as a children's book and rightfully so, but as an adult, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Rowling has this unique writing voice reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm, but...modernized, deviously magical and captivating.

#ickabog #jkrowling

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AshRaye
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

I found it interesting, it shows the dangers of lying and how it spins out of control. It also touched on how making assumptions can lead you astray. For a children's story, there was a lot of death, at times it seemed like everyone was going to die. Most of them did, but not all. The ending wrapped everything up nice and neat, but I also felt like it was a little rushed, like there should have been a little more to the story there.

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Shmemilina
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling

Love all of the cute illustrations by kid contest winners, but kind of hate how disconcertingly and unnecessarily dark some aspects of the story were? The story, in terms of plot, character development, and themes, reads like something for really young kids, but so. many. people die. And in very messed up ways, with so many people complicit. I feel like Cornucopia would need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission after this story.

5 likes1 stack add
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Sbk89
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

I read this book with my daughters at bedtime.
We‘d read a few chapters every few days.
This book is a full lesson about the ethics of life, and how the oppressed will rise.
We loved it, and when it ended it was a relief.
In a sense that intoxicated our hearts.

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Prabh1een
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling

All I know is that countries, like Ickabogs, can be made gentle by kindness, which is why the Kingdom of Cornucopia lived happily ever after.

3 likes1 stack add
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Mitchbtg
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

Really fun little fairytale with plenty of amazing morals and children‘s artwork! Brought to you by #jkrowling #theickabog is definitely worth the quick read.

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Mrs.C
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

Ignoring who the author is and some of the controversial things she‘s said, the story was good. Friendship, loyalty, honesty and an Ickabog. It was a fun read. I already suggested it to my 9 year old, she‘ll love it.

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Mrs.C
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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I got my first dose of the vaccine today! Now to spend the rest of the day relaxing and reading!

LiteraryinPA That‘s awesome!! 4y
13 likes1 comment
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Alora
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

📖 Book Review 📖 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

This was a pretty good short story! I loved how Rowling included illustrations from children around the world.
The short chapters were nice and made for an easy read - great for kids!
The ending was wrapped together nicely and overall was a good read!

#bookreview #jkrowling #tbr #review

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Linsy
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Congratulations, @CoffeeAndABook! You won the drawing! Please comment with your email or email me at linsyh@icloud.com so I can get you your prizes. 🎉

CoffeeAndABook Yay 🎉🙌🏼🤩🎶😃 I‘ll send you my email address 📧 4y
Linsy @CoffeeAndABook This is so embarrassing. I got overwhelmed with life and then my email ate your message. I'd still love to send you your prize though! Please email me at linsyh@icloud.com if it's not too much trouble. Sorry about this!!! 4y
CoffeeAndABook Oh @Linsy I totally understand!! I‘m often overwhelmed and can‘t believe the things I leave undone 🙈 it‘s just that way sometimes. Don‘t worry about it & thanks for getting back to me. That‘s very sweet 🌸 I‘ll email you again but don‘t stress!! 4y
61 likes3 comments
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CoffeeAndABook
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

So this is it!! I‘m days late in reading the final chapters & posting about it for the #ickabogalong 🙈
The final chapters were very satisfying ~ if a little too tidy maybe...
I‘ll give this 4 stars, I definitely enjoyed it as a group read! The story was engaging, fast paced & full of interesting characters, some kick-ass gals ⚡️
This isn‘t necessarily a book for young children, too much death & deceit.

Thanks so much @Linsy for organizing this!

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Linsy
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

I can't believe I forgot to post my review last week!! I have so many feels, but they are all filled with spoilers, so I'll continue with my review in the comments.

Thank you all for joining me! I would probably have lost momentum in the middle there with all the sadness, but you kept me going. I loved seeing all your thoughts and the different illustrations from around the world. I'll post the winner of the drawing later today!

#ickabogalong

Linsy First of all: I love this picture of Mr. Dovetail so much. Second of all: Oh my goodness that ending. I loved that the Ickabog ended up being real and what its true nature was, but I'm not quite sure how I feel about the first Ickabog baby. Third of all: Lady Eslanda is the absolute best! I wish there was more of her. Fourth of all: I liked that there was some redemption for the king, although I'm not sure I think it likely that he ... (edited) 4y
Linsy ... could have been so isolated that he had no indication at all. It feels more like willful blindness to me. Fifth of all: Finally we got someone competent up in here! Mrs. Beamish is my idol. Sixth of all: I'm not sure I buy the premise that the king would just step down. If he was that willfully blind and selfish before, I find it hard to believe he would just step down. I feel like they would have had to dethrone him. (edited) 4y
CoffeeAndABook I also just now finished reading & posted my final comments 🙈 nevertheless - this was so much fun! Thanks for hosting this group read 🙏🏼🙌🏼 🌸 I agree with your thoughts on King Fred! 4y
72 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Emily92Bibliophile
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Mehso-so

This is between a 3.5-4🌟 for me. Cute children‘s fairy tales, with lessons to learn from the story.

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Powered_By_Plants
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Shinmery cover 🤩

“ Oh, if there is one thing you ,learn at cookery school,‘ said Mrs Beamish, with a shrug , ‘burned crusts and soggy bases happen to the best of us. Roll up your sleeves and start something else, I say. No point moaning over what you can‘t fix !‘

Loved this quote

#ickabogalong @Linsy

34 likes1 stack add
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Powered_By_Plants
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

Finished in the sun with a herbal tea ☀️

Although much much darker than expected , It had me wanting to read on. I am glad I didn‘t share this with my youngest not sure she would have liked all the death.
The beautiful children‘s illustrations made this , I thoroughly enjoyed coming across them.
Reading Orwell‘s 1984 along side this and couldn‘t help but feel a few similarities in controlling others thoughts with fear

#ickabogalong @Linsy

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Eggbeater
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Mehso-so

It could be a case of nothing will ever live up to Harry Potter, but I found this book to be real dark and depressing and I didn't think the ending was enough to make up for that. There wasn't enough magic and light interspersed with the misery to make it a fun story. I liked some of the characters, but I would feel awkward reading it to a child because there is not enough hope.

I did enjoy reading it as a group. Thanks @Linsy #ickabogalong

Enchanted_Bibliophile I felt the same ... 4y
47 likes1 comment
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AnneCecilie
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Pickpick

This is Rowling‘s take on the fairytale. And like in all fairytales you‘re either good or your bad. I liked following Bert and Daisy on their journey.

A tale about how absolutely power, corrupts absolute. About friendship and hope and being good.

I‘m so glad I joined in on this buddy read #Ickabogalong @Linsy

68 likes1 stack add
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Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Mehso-so

I found this to be very dark and depressing. It felt like every other chapter had a death in it, which tarnish the little hope that had to sustain the story.
The plot was too focused on the deceit and lies. The characters where one dimensional and we didn‘t get the opportunity to really know them.

I did enjoy all the different art, especially with every language and edition having their own unique art.
But overall this one just wasn‘t for me.

Enchanted_Bibliophile Thanks @Linsy for arranging the #IckabogALong It's always more fun reading with others! 4y
27 likes1 comment
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Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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And everything comes to a tidy conclusion.

Art Chapter 61: Jasper, Age 11
Art Chapter 62: Violet, Age 9
Art Chapter 64: Agata, Age 8

#IckabogALong @Linsy

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CoffeeAndABook
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Wow, isn‘t this the sweetest!! 💓

Trust is a huge issue in this chapter. Impressive how the kids & the Ickabog choose to trust each other and what that generates 👊🏼

Art by Evelyn, age 8, U.K.

#ickabogalong chapter 59

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Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Everything seems to be happening all-at-once.
The prison riot, the Ickabog march ..

Tomorrow is our final day. All will be revealed.

Art Chapter 58: Lucy, Age 9
Art Chapter 60: Taarika, Age 9

#IckabogALong @Linsy

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Linsy
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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I‘ve been terrible at posting, but I‘m so glad things are looking up! I love our four heroes. Also, I finally got to soak in our new bathtub and read! It was heavenly. 🛀 #ickabogalong

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Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Looks like everything is turning in a positive direction, at long last.

Art left: Emily, Age 12
Art right: Madeline, Age 12

#IckabogALong @Linsy

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AnneCecilie
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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‘What if when the Bornding time comes, they saw their mother - or their father - I‘m sorry, I don‘t quite know - ‘
‘I will be their Icker,‘ said the Ickabog, ‘And they‘ll be my Ickaboggles.‘

#Ickabogalong

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AnneCecilie
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Lies upon lies upon lies. Once you started lying, you had to continue and then it was like being captain of a leaky ship, always plugging holes in the side to stop yourself sinking.

#Ickabogalong

Come-read-with-me Love this illustration! 4y
49 likes1 comment
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CoffeeAndABook
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Daisy‘s just so great 🙌🏼 💓

#ickabogalong ~ chapter 53

Come-read-with-me I love this illustration! 4y
26 likes1 comment
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Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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I'm not sure what is more sad; the Ickabog's song or Daisy asking it to eat her heart last.😢

#IckabogALong @Linsy

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Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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We finally meet the Ickabog...😳

Shadow Art : Abbey, Age 11
Ickabog Art: Fleur, Age 9

#IckabogALong @Linsy

Come-read-with-me I really love that the artwork is different based in place of publication/release. However, this now means that I will need to buy the book from multiple different countries! 4y
Enchanted_Bibliophile @Come-read-with-me I also got the UK and US ebook versions and is considering buying the South African hardcopy just for the art.

But I did found all the winning art on this page.
https://www.theickabog.com/en-us/competition/
When you change the language you get the different winner results. It helps a bit with the budget 😉
4y
Come-read-with-me @Enchanted_Bibliophile Thank you!! I want all of the actual books, but my wallet is really happy to know this!!! 4y
29 likes3 comments
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Linsy
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Catching up on #ickabogalong! It‘s making me think of the theme of institutionalization and how prevalent it is in Rowling‘s work (and charity Lumos). I tend to think of orphanages as a thing of the past — à la Annie — but this is a problem that has not gone away.

Daisy is now vying for favorite character status in my book. When she was telling off Spittleworth, I was definitely grinning!!

Also, Chocolate Scrabble makes me happy. ?

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Enchanted_Bibliophile
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Had to play some catch up today...

Finally we're getting to a bit of positivity!
Mrs. Beamish & Daisy is saving lives, and Bret and Roderic is standing up to bullies.

#IckabogALong @Linsy
Art Chapter 43: Ellanè, SA Ed
Art Chapter 45: Natalie, Age 11 UK Ed
Art Chapter 46: Anabelle, Age 9 UK Ed
Art Chapter 47: Advika, Age 9 UK Ed
Art Chapter 48: Ila, Age 9 UK Ed

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CoffeeAndABook
The Ickabog | J.K. Rowling
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Bad things are happening 😩 Run, Bert - run!!!

#ickabogalong #playingcatchup