Welcome to Litsy!

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.

Having finished the tagged book, I have another bingo! #scarathlon #batbrigade #scarathlonatoz #scarathlonatozbingo @Catsandbooks

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 ⬇️

A new design

#scarathlon #batbrigade @Catsandbooks

I‘m adding color. #scarathlon #batbrigade @Catsandbooks

Help! I‘m assembling these cards. Favorites? Suggestions?

I‘ll be stamping the sentiments after assembly.

Another craft day! #scarathlon #batbrigade @Catsandbooks

Craft day! #scarathlon #batbrigade @Catsandbooks

My fourth audiobook for the day! This one up next!! #scarathlon #batbrigade @Catsandbooks

Yay for book mail

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.

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).

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.

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 🙃

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

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

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🌟!

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I got my first dose of the vaccine today! Now to spend the rest of the day relaxing and reading!

📖 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

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. 🎉

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Looks like everything is turning in a positive direction, at long last.

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

#IckabogALong @Linsy

‘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

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

Daisy‘s just so great 🙌🏼 💓

#ickabogalong ~ chapter 53

I'm not sure what is more sad; the Ickabog's song or Daisy asking it to eat her heart last.😢

#IckabogALong @Linsy

We finally meet the Ickabog...😳

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

#IckabogALong @Linsy

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. ?

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

Bad things are happening 😩 Run, Bert - run!!!

#ickabogalong #playingcatchup