THE MAGICAL, WONDERFUL BUL BUL BIRD

In Kruk’s illustrated children’s book, a king sends his sons to find the magical Bul Bul Bird—but it is his brave daughter who ends up saving the day.

King Krauklis is a lonely monarch, despite the company of his beloved sons and daughter. One day, Princess Sofija suggests to her distraught father that she find and bring back the magical Bul Bul Bird, with its “emerald feathers and eyes of azure blue.” Her eldest brother, Prince Koku, insists on setting out on the journey in her stead. After receiving directions (and a dire warning) from a wise old woman he encounters on the road, Prince Koku locates the Bul Bul Bird—and is subsequently turned into a tree by the bird’s magic ring. Upon realizing that Prince Koku is not returning, King Krauklis sends his second son, Prince Balt, to find his brother and the bird. After he comes to the same fate, Princess Sofija finally sets out to rescue both of her brothers and bring back the avian prize. After discovering the ring’s power and learning the reason the Bul Bul Bird turns all of its visitors to trees, the princess is able to bring everyone home to live happily ever after. Bridges’ illustrations shine with exquisite thin-lined details that tell a story unto themselves. The subdued color palette (mainly browns, beiges, and pale greens) is broken up by the delightful exception of the Bul Bul Bird itself, which contains pops of bright red around the face, indigo by the eyes, and yellow on the beak. Kruk’s engaging story offers both adventure and a discreetly haunting study of loneliness (both the king’s and the bird’s). The very last page places the story in Latvia—a detail that would have made more sense if included nearer the beginning. But the tale’s precise setting is ultimately unimportant, as its captivating plot and overarching themes of loneliness, love, and family take center stage.

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