When the forest loses its glow, a little dog follows a trail of pawprints to find the missing Star Lantern.
When the Starlight Forest loses its glow, one little dog answers its call for help.
Join Affe and his animal friends as they follow mysterious pawprints, cross a whispering bridge, solve a crystal-door riddle, and search for the missing Star Lantern. Along the way, they discover that courage grows when friends stay together and that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference.
Questions throughout the story invite young readers to notice clues, share ideas, and talk about the characters’ choices.
Every caring heart carries a little light.
Affe is more than a storybook hero. He is Mary Jane’s beloved dog and part of the real-life inspiration behind her animal characters, alongside her cats, Zelda and Empi.
That everyday bond becomes a magical world where small steps can lead to brave adventures, friends help one another, and kindness has a light of its own.
For children—and the grown-ups who read beside them.
Visual Artist and Children’s Author
Creating as MJBuskas · Based in Uppsala, Sweden
Mary Jane Buskas is a Filipina visual artist and children’s author based in Uppsala, Sweden. She began drawing as a child, and over time, that early love of drawing grew into a passion for painting. Today, painting is a central part of her creative practice. She signs her artwork and writes her children’s books under the name MJBuskas.
Her interest in color, light, and detail carries over from painting into her storytelling. She enjoys creating scenes that invite children to look closely, ask questions, and imagine what might happen next.
Her illustrated children’s book, Affe and the Secret of the Starlight Forest, was inspired by her dog, Affe. The story follows a little dog and his friends as they search for a missing lantern and discover how courage grows when they help one another. Written to be read together, the book gives children and adults moments to pause, look for clues, and talk about the characters’ choices.
Through her art and writing, Mary Jane hopes to inspire children to create, believe in themselves, and recognize the difference even a small act of kindness can make.
Find the English hardcover online or ask your local bookstore to check the ISBN. Shipping and availability vary by retailer.
Personalized signed copies are planned. Ordering details and photographs of the first printed copies will be shared here when ready.
For booksellers and librarians: the title is enabled for distribution through IngramSpark. Please check availability and trade terms through your usual supplier.