The Magical, Wonderful Bul Bul Bird - by Jonathan Kruk (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

"A charming, beautifully illustrated yarn that encourages children and adults alike to find their voices." --Kirkus Reviews

When a lonely king sends his sons on a quest to find the magical, wonderful Bul Bul Bird, they mysteriously vanish, leaving their courageous sister to embark on a perilous journey to uncover the truth and restore joy to the kingdom.

In this enchanting, lyrical retelling of a Latvian legend, master storyteller Jonathan Kruk weaves a tale of courage, mystery, and wonder brought to life with "timeless illustrations reminiscent of whimsical 19th-century style, transforming [Jonathan] Kruk's narrative into a treasured keepsake." (PW Booklife review)

Review Quotes

A charming, beautifully illustrated yarn that encourages children and adults alike to find their voices.
Kruk's illustrated children's book follows a king who sends his sons to find the magical Bul Bul Bird--but it is his brave daughter who ends up saving the day. ... Princess Sofija sets out to rescue her brothers and bring back the avian prize. Bridges' illustrations shine with exquisite thin-lined details and a subdued color palette, broken up by the delightful exception of the Bul Bul Bird itself, with pops of bright red, indigo, and yellow. Kruk's engaging story offers both adventure and a discreetly haunting study of loneliness. --Kirkus Reviews

In the charming picture book The Magical, Wonderful Bul Bul Bird, a wise princess befriends a lonely magical being.
Drawing on Latvian folklore, Jonathan Kruk's picture book The Magical, Wonderful Bul Bul Bird is about courage, perseverance, and an unexpected feathered friendship.

The whimsical prose includes comforting instances of repetition. The generous use of alliteration and rhyme also infuses a pleasant singsong quality into the story; "a craggy, haggy woman with wise crinkles in her wrinkles" proves key to the royals' quest. Humorous descriptions poke gentle fun at the princes' pomp without mitigating the heavier moments in their tale. In one grin-worthy scene, Prince Koku slips and rides his "boombosity" all the way down a steep hill.

Sofija is a worthy heroine and a fitting foil to her brothers' rashness. She succeeds not because she is perfect but because she tries to be good. She is a fairy-tale princess who also feels familiar; her realistic blend of vice and virtue is refreshing.

The emotive, vibrant illustrations infuse the story with personality. On one page, Koku trudges through a gray-tinged forest of leering trees. On another, the ornate Bul Bul Bird cries against a star-speckled sky. Serene shades of blue and brown predominate and match the story's gentle tone. The sharp, angular lines and muted hues used to portray the Latvian landscape and people contrast with the Bul Bul Bird's bright plumage and plump form. With his arrival, color seeps into the kingdom as its loneliness fades--illustrative symbolism for the story's lighthearted conclusion. --Foreword Clarion Reviews

Stunningly illustrated folktale of a legendary bird and a lonely king.
Kruk reshapes Latvian legend in this creative picture book debut of a legendary bird and arboreal curse plaguing a royal family. This is a joyful tale that uplifts underdogs, prizes intelligence over brute strength and arrogance, and teaches young readers that loneliness, though a powerful feeling, can be eased by just one small act of kindness. Rob Bridges renders timeless illustrations reminiscent of whimsical 19th-century style, transforming Kruk's narrative into a treasured keepsake. From the cozy castles to the detailed, evocative expressions of the townsfolk to the story's trees and magical horrors, Bridges delivers a meticulous finesse rarely seen in contemporary illustration today. Kruk's inspired folktale rewards patience and compassion with the powerful solace of community, making this a one-of-a-kind narrative that readers of any age will adore. --BookLife Review. Publishers Weekly. Editor's Pick.

About the Author

Jonathan Kruk was born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Westchester, N.Y.  Mr. Kruk earned a Bachelor of Arts in English at Holy Cross College and a Master of Arts in Education from New York University and studied creative drama in England. He acted at New York's H.B. Studios and performed Ritual Urban Theater with Gabrielle Roth. It all began with telling tales to his kid brother, which led to an epiphany about how much children love listening to stories told live, thus launching a full-time career in storytelling.

A Master Storyteller in the Hudson Valley for forty years, Jonathan has tailored stories to enchant children at hundreds of schools, libraries, festivals, and historic sites. 

Renowned for his solo shows of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "A Christmas Carol," he has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, the Today Show, and the Travel Channel. 

 Jonathan is the storyteller in residence for the Archdiocese of New York Schools.