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The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle — Content Guide for Parents

By J.K. RowlingHachette Children's Group2025-09-02ISBN 9781510202788368 pages
The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle

Themes present

Violence
Scary content

Not found

Religious themesRacial/cultural contentProfanityClimate changeSexual identityGender rolesLGBTQ+ themes

Content themes

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

Once upon a time there was a terrible monster called the Ickabog. ​Or so the story goes . . .

Prepare for a legendary adventure from one of the world's greatest storytellers J.K. Rowling, now featuring striking illustrations from award-winning illustrator Ben Mantle.

Once upon a time there was a tiny kingdom called Cornucopia, as rich in happiness as it was in gold, and famous for its food. From the delicate cream cheeses of Kurdsburg to the Hopes-of-Heaven pastries of Chouxville, each was so delicious that people wept with joy as they ate them.

But even in this happy kingdom, a monster lurks. Legend tells of a fearsome creature living far to the north in the Marshlands... the Ickabog. Some say it breathes fire, spits poison, and roars through the mist as it carries off wayward sheep and children alike. Some say it's just a myth...

And when that myth takes on a life of its own, casting a shadow over the kingdom, two children - best friends Bert and Daisy - embark on a great adventure to untangle the truth and find out where the real monster lies, bringing hope and happiness to Cornucopia once more.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The book includes depictions of abuse towards orphans, including mental and physical abuse, as well as bullying among children. There are also references to drinking by characters in positions of power, indicating a darker tone. The story includes elements that could be considered scary, such as the existence of a monster (the Ickabog) and the dark themes of fear and manipulation within the kingdom. However, the overall framing suggests a fantastical adventure.

  • Does The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle have violence?

    The book includes depictions of abuse towards orphans, including mental and physical abuse, as well as bullying among children. There are also references to drinking by characters in positions of power, indicating a darker tone.

  • Does The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle have scary content?

    The story includes elements that could be considered scary, such as the existence of a monster (the Ickabog) and the dark themes of fear and manipulation within the kingdom. However, the overall framing suggests a fantastical adventure.

  • Does The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle have religious themes?

    No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are present in the book's narrative. While there are mentions of funerals and a wedding, these do not constitute religious content.

  • Does The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle have racial/cultural content?

    No explicit racial themes or discussions are present in the book. The narrative does not focus on race as a central theme or plot point.

  • Does The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle have profanity?

    No profanity is mentioned in the book. The search results do not indicate any use of strong language or inappropriate terms.

  • Does The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle have climate change?

    No climate themes or discussions are present in the book. The search results do not indicate any focus on environmental issues or activism.

  • Does The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle have sexual identity?

    No sexual content is present in the book. The search results do not indicate any themes or references related to sexuality.

  • Does The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle have gender roles?

    The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. While it features various characters, there is no thematic content related to traditional or modern gender roles.

  • Does The Ickabog The bestselling fairytale, now illustrated by Ben Mantle have lgbtq+ themes?

    No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the book's narrative. The search results do not indicate any LGBTQ+ content in The Ickabog.