

Ma W ul d

BY Jonathan Kruk

Rob Bridges
ILLUSTRATED BY


Ma W ul d

Ma W ul d

adapted by Jonathan Kruk
illustrated by Rob Bridges
Text copyright © 2026 Jonathan Kruk
Illustrations copyright © 2026 Rob Bridges
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations used in critical reviews or other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Author: Jonathan Kruk
Illustrator: Rob Bridges
Book Designer: Elynn Cohen
Interior Border Design: Larissa Sharina
Creative Director: Andrea Sadler
Author Photo Credit: Andrea Sadler
Illustrator Photo Credit: Rob Bridges
For more information about this book and other titles from 4U2B Books & Media, please visit www.4u2bbooksandmedia.com.
For more on the author, please visit www.jonathankruk.com.
Print ISBN: 978-0-8294-6034-6
Library of Congress Control Number: 2025932645
4U2B Books & Media is an imprint of Loyola Press. 4U2B is a trademark of Loyola Press.
Published in Chicago, IL
Printed in China
Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet scarcely bigger than himself, and who had need for a friend.
Antoine de SAint-exupéry
The Little Prince
This book is dedicated to every child who has felt loneliness. May they discover the transformative power of courage, kindness, and empathy, forging new friendships that broaden the horizons of their world.
—J.K.




ONCE UPON A TIME in a castle forlorn and far away, cranky King Krauklis cried, “Alas! I am lonely!”

His three children tried to cheer him up.
“Father,” said Prince Koku, “you have always told us that kings don’t cry.”
“You have us,” remarked Prince Balt.
“We are here with you,” encouraged Princess Sofija.
The sovereign still sobbed.
“We are so far away. No one ever comes to visit us.”



King Krauklis’s indigo eyes looked sad. This gave Princess Sofija an idea.
She wondered aloud, “Have you heard of the magical Bul Bul Bird? With its emerald feathers and eyes of azure blue, it would be a delight to have in our castle! True?”

King Krauklis wrung tears from his beard.
He squinted, imagining the bird nearby on a perch, and noted, “If we had the Bul Bul Bird here, people would come from far and near!”
Sofija the princess added, “Naturally!”
“Daughter,” declared King Krauklis, “Go find and fetch it here.”



Prince Koku objected, “Father, she’s far too young for that task! Let me, your eldest, quest for the magical bird.”
The princess frowned, but the King nodded.
“Sofija, it might be dangerous. I shall send your brother Koku instead.”
“I may be young, but I am wise enough to be prudent,” replied the princess.
“Nonetheless, I shall send your eldest brother to seek the Bul Bul Bird.”
Prince Koku left the castle at once. Looking too high and too far away, he slipped off the mountain and slid on his boombosity all the way down to the village.
The townspeople gathered to gawk at the fallen prince.