JK Rowling has surprised fans by announcing the release of a new children’s book for free online. The 54-year-old author says the book titled The Ickabog will help entertain children and families during the pandemic.

She wrote the fairy tale for her children as a bedtime story over a decade ago where it stayed in her attic while she focused on writing books for adults.

The first two chapters were posted online earlier this week… with daily instalments to follow until July 10.

The book will be published in print later this year.