J.K. Rowling children’s story ‘The Christmas Pig’ due in October

Scholastic announced Tuesday that “The Christmas Pig,” the story of a boy named Jack and a beloved toy (Dur Pig) which goes missing.

By Associated Press

Author J.K. Rowling appears at the world premiere of the film “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” in Paris on Nov. 8, 2018. — Author J.K. Rowling appears at the world premiere of the film “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” in Paris in 2018.

NEW YORK — J.K. Rowling has a new book coming this fall, a holiday children’s story with all new characters.

Scholastic announced Tuesday that “The Christmas Pig,” the story of a boy named Jack and a beloved toy (Dur Pig) which goes missing, will be released worldwide Oct. 12.

“But Christmas Eve is a night for miracles and lost causes, a night when all things can come to life ... even toys,” according to Scholastic. “And Jack’s newest toy — the Christmas Pig (DP’s replacement) — has a daring plan: Together they’ll embark on a magical journey to seek something lost, and to save the best friend Jack has ever known.”

Rowling is best known for her “Harry Potter” fantasy series, but also has published detective novels under the penname J.K. Galbraith and such children’s works as “The Ickabog.” Her new book will be illustrated by Jim Field.

Last August, Rowling faced backlash for a tweet regarding transgender issues.

“The statement incorrectly implied that I was transphobic, and that I am responsible for harm to trans people,” Rowling said on her website, in an effort to clarify her tweet comments. Rowling said she supported trans rights but did not believe in “erasing” the concept of biological sex. Rowling said she refused to “bow down” to a movement seeking “to erode ‘woman’ as a political and biological class and offering cover to predators like few before it.”

“As a longstanding donor to LGBT charities and a supporter of trans people’s right to live free of persecution, I absolutely refute the accusation that I hate trans people or wish them ill, or that standing up for the rights of women is wrong, discriminatory, or incites harm or violence to the trans community,” Rowling wrote.