Bert’s Adventure in Bubbly Forest by Nicole Steyn

Title: Bert’s Adventure in Bubbly Forest

Author: Nicole Steyn

Genre: Children’s Fiction/Fantasy

Publisher: Self

Published: 1 August — to be in time for Book Week 2025 and the theme of ‘Book an adventure’!

Format: Paperback

Pages:  32

Price: $15.99

Synopsis: Bert loves an adventure! A secret book discovery leads him to find the mysterious Bubbly Forest — a place filled with wonder and a sprinkle of mystery. But this isn’t just any forest; it’s a magical place cloaked in shadows, home to curious creatures and… bubbles?

Yes, bubbles! Big and small, shiny and colourful — floating through the air inviting Bert to explore further. But what kind of secrets lie within the forest, and who — or what — might be behind the mysterious bubbles?

In Bert’s Adventure in Bubbly Forest, children will embark on a magical journey alongside Bert as he learns to conquer his fears, embrace friendship, and discover the joy of keeping a “bubbly” spirit, even in the face of the unknown. Perfect for young adventurers and their parents, this delightful tale encourages bravery, curiosity, and the beauty of imagination.

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It’s coming up to Book Week, and this year’s fantastic theme is “Book an Adventure”. Books can take us on adventures everywhere. Through time, through space, and into other worlds. Nicole Steyn has created a joyous picture book about a young boy who ventures into a magical forest of bubbles after reading about it. It’s a forest of wonder, where magic comes to life to create a fun adventure of discovery.

But who is creating the bubbles, and are there secrets within the forest that nobody knows about? Only Bert can find out who is creating the bubbles of Bubbly Forest! It’s a mysterious place, like many fantasy places that live within our imaginations. It’s these places that can take readers of all ages on adventures, all whilst sitting and reading!

This touching picture book is also about facing you fears and embracing friendship – and the friends that spark something within us. Bert has a bubbly spirit that matches the purple forest. The story gets going right away, and draws the reader into Bert’s world and fun. Reading is all about exploring when we’re at home or can’t go anywhere. When it comes to Book Week and celebrating Australian children’s books, every book by Australian authors can take us on an adventure. It gives children insight into a fantastic world that they can bring their own magic into their own lives and stories.

I’ve been all over the world, into space, to different worlds, and through portals, and have travelled through time as well. The life of a reader brings all of these together, and it starts with picture books like Bert’s Adventure in Bubbly Forest that celebrate imagination, books, and reading. Reading this book took me on a familiar adventure, but one that is joyful and that readers of all ages can enjoy and get into. It gives the world Bert creates life, and shows how powerful imagination is when going on an adventure – which I am sure everyone taking part in Book Week will be doing during this time.

So, pick up a book like Bert’s Adventure in Bubbly Forest, and go on an adventure for Book Week. Explore different adventures and what you like, what scares you and what excites you on these adventures. Just like Bert does when he explores Bubbly Forest and makes some interesting discoveries along the way. Books like Bert’s Adventure in Bubbly Forest do more than take readers on a fun adventure. It shows them that it’s okay to be scared, and that asking for help is something that is okay to do as well. It can be a reassuring story as well, a gentle introduction to heading off alone. But most importantly, I think it celebrates imagination and reading, books and libraries, which is what Book Week is all about. So grab a book, any book, and Book an Adventure!