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Littluns is a story for all ages, depicting everyone’s journey through life facing choices for the Light or darkness. Beginning with a simple scavenger hunt, the reader is taken on a fast roller coaster ride into a volatile unknown.

“Littluns” is a powerful book about faith and trusted friends that gives positive celebration to traditional Judeo-Christian values and the human spirit. It is a story of extreme good and innocence in a world of chaos from the resulting seductive effects of evil. This book clearly defines the differences and becomes the family friendly alternative.

As one parent wrote in her review, “Refreshing, from a Parent’s point of view, is knowing that “Littluns” is written absent of inappropriate and offensive language, and will not affect the onset and continued interest of the reader. The book stays in balance with humor, terror, innocence, action, morals, truth, sadness, hope, and feelings. The reader will find this novel impossible to predict and full of surprises.”

About Littluns

Of Light and Life there is The Book of Light

Of all that has been or will be corrupted, there is The Book of Darkness

One empowers individuals

The other has power over them

Hidden within the impenetrable snow covered exterior walls of Powder Mountain, and secret to the rest of the world is the protected, self contained, pure and peaceful valley of Hollow Hills.

The crater valley is thousands of feet above the base of the mountain with only one accessible entrance and one exit, keeping outsiders out. The outside world below holds little interest to Littluns. It’s not that they don’t know about such things and what goes on out there; they know very well about the chaos and discord and the importance of remaining removed from such things.

However, once every year or two, around the third and sixth full Moons, the Littleton Town Council selects five of its citizens to journey down Powder Mountain into the outside world. It’s a scavenger hunt. The only rules are that anything they bring back must not belong to anyone. An example would be; you aren’t allowed to climb a tree to get an apple, but you can take the apple if it’s fallen onto the ground. No one ever worries about the rules because every Littlun is taught, from a very young age, that stealing is wrong and no Littlun would ever consider such an act - it just wouldn’t be Littlun.

Now, it should be noted that this is not just any outing. It is very dangerous and requires much skill and knowledge. The journey down the mountain is treacherous. More importantly, there can be no contact with the outside world making a costume necessary. To do otherwise, could put their very existence in jeopardy. No one looks forward to being selected, but each accepts the responsibility in the knowledge that they are fulfilling a community obligation and that the scavenger hunt will provide new seeds for planting, news of the outside world, and any surprises that will provide for good eating and/or interesting reading.

This is one of those days for a scavenger hunt.

The Littluns: Braybe, Miskey, Letsen, Brandywine, and Sneetz go down the mountain together on what should be a cautious, but pleasant outing. However, there was no way that they could have known about the evil permeating throughout the land. Disguised as Eqassym Enturim and The Necromancer, the Evil One had placed most of his dark powers into words; words reserved for his wicked purposes. By doing so, it provided him with the benefits of both worlds while carrying out his plan to deceive and corrupt its inhabitants. But, ‘The Evil One’s’ ominous Dark Book becomes lost, resulting in him becoming trapped somewhere between the living and the dead. To fulfill his plan, he must have his Book back at all costs.

This faith-based story of innocence, takes you into a magical, fantasy world of imagination.

Littluns is a story for all ages, depicting everyone’s journey through life facing choices for the Light or darkness. Beginning with a simple scavenger hunt, the reader is taken on a fast roller coaster ride into the unknown.

“Littluns” is an action packed, exciting alternative for millions of readers. It too will have controversy due to its powerful theme, but in contrast, its enlightened values cannot be disputed and will live forever in this mythical world of wonder and enchantment that will warm your soul.

“Littluns” is a book for the entire family - recommended reading is for twelve years of age and above.

The novel’s Judeo-Christian values should appeal to both religious and secular readers. Even others may find the read to be, at the very least, entertaining and thought provoking.

Uniquely, “Littluns” is written in the present-tense, third omniscient voice with the intent for the reader to have a live experience as if they are watching a movie. The sixty-three color illustrations complete the visual reading experience. This is a page-turner where the reader will never be able to predict what will happen next…surprised, but never disappointed. “Littluns” will also stir the reader’s every emotion while presenting real-life examples that everyone can relate to.

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Reviews

Sara Hassler
Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Adventure, courage, and determination surround loyal friends in the fantasy novel Littluns and the Book of Darkness. Movie Producer and Director now Author, Mark Glamack, uses his background in animation and writing to create this family friendly and Christian based young adult novel. With a mission to positively motivate, educate, enlighten and inspire through entertaining content, Glamack uses his own spiritual guiding light to draw his readers into the struggle between good and evil in this debut novel. The Littluns and the Book of Darkness will entertain audiences of all ages with its fast paced, intriguing storyline and elaborate illustrated life of the Littluns world in the Hollow Hills of the land, Terra Fermata. Author, Mark Glamack, shows off his artistic talent with colorful and meticulous illustrations. His veteran motion picture experience shines with expertly written detailed scene changes and engages readers with screenwriting skills that make his audience feel like they've been deep inside a high production animated movie. Glamack has exceeded his goal in depicting the journey of life, how to choose between the light and dark side of the world while showing the gifts of friendship and how they can influence us in the shadows of our own life choices. Littluns and the Book of Darkness is a delightful, skillfully written novel that will capture both young and mature readers and leave them with full hearts and the tools necessary to know the difference between good and evil. Littluns and the Book of Darkness is a wonderful gift for lovers of fantasy, for parents and educators who want to offer a faith based book and for librarians who want to expand their offerings.

Courtney Pearsall
Ninth Grade, Fairport Minerva DeLand High School
Review for Novel “The Littluns” by Mark Glamack

The Littluns is a wonderful story! The characters immediately draw you into this fantasy novel. Once inside the story, you feel yourself transported into this world of magic. Awesome!

The Littluns is an adventure about friendship, loyalty, courage, and determination. The main character has to face a task which involves life and death. While others before him who have been given this task have returned successfully, there is still a chance that he may not. The character must rely on his strength and courage to complete the task and return home. He experiences fear, sadness, danger and ultimately a feeling of …….. Along the way, he strengthens the bonds with his friends who are traveling with him and develops new friendships too. I, also, experienced these same feelings while reading the Littluns.

There is a struggle between good and evil that is similar to that of the Harry Potter series because the main characters use their courage, determination and a little bit of magic to overcome the forces of evil.

I found the setting and the rest of the characters very intriguing. The way they go about doing their every day things made me interested in reading more. I loved the way the author displayed the strong friendships in the novel. The friends are supportive of each other and each others’ ideas and opinions. They are loyal to each other even when separated by evil. He gives a wonderful example of what true friendships should be!

I was always excited to read further in the Littluns to see what was going to happen next, who was going where, who was going to do what, and how they succeeded in overcoming their fears. I hope the author writes a sequel to the Littluns because I would like to see what happens to this world when evil no longer rules. I thought the Littluns was an inspiring story of loyalty and hard work. It is a great book for students and adults alike.

Review by Jim Bratkowsky
Profession: DVD Producer

What could possibly happen?

Every precaution is taken that nothing will happen on an annual outing of renewal.
In the very secret Hollow Hills, civic duty calls upon five Littluns to go out into the land of Terra Fermata and find new things to bring back. Being completely isolated from the rest of Terra Fermata, the Littlun way of life is innocent, and very happy.

Out they go… where an outing becomes a journey of survival against the most wretched characters you will ever meet, and the pinnacle of consummate evil, The Necromancer. So much so, the reader will want to be sure their door is locked and there are more lights on than just the reading lamp!

However, with darkness there must be light(ness) in good storytelling.

Elderond of the light, thank goodness, is brought into the story, which gives healing, and wisdom, with sprinkles of magic that gives the reader a wonderful respite. There are other most astounding characters of light to help console the reader along the way and, whew!, do we need them!

The story is complex but fast moving and easily understood along with many plot twists that I didn’t see coming! Also there is nothing here that parents should find offensive.

After finishing the book, several days later I was talking to a friend and mentioned that I saw this really great movie. He asked me what the name was and I said Littluns. I paused and thought - hey wait a minute that wasn’t a movie that was a book I read!

Hootsy Bootsy!!

Review by Stephanie Johnston
Accountant

Extraordinary, to say the least, “Littluns,” by author and illustrator Mark Glamack, is a novel that is hard to put down. In fact, you would not want to take this book to bed at night hoping that it will help you fall asleep. Instead, it will keep you up to late in the night!

“Littluns” was such a pleasure to read that I would read it over and over again. Some readers will read the book as pure fantasy, and enjoy the author’s imaginary world. Others will be able to relate to parts of the story, as when making the choice of good or evil, and everyday life encounters. While some will go deeper into the reality and spiritual aspects of this truly brilliant masterpiece.

Mr. Glamack’s properly timed placements of the illustrations will help the reader visualize the animated characters and environment. Throughout the entire novel, every little detail of the events taking place puts the reader inside the book. I actually found myself acting out some of these details. Mark Glamack’s unique talent will set the stage for the reader, as if you feel that you are in the Movie Theater.

Refreshing, from a Parent’s point of view, is knowing that “Littluns” is written absent of inappropriate and offensive language, and will not affect the onset and continued interest of the reader. The book stays in balance with humor, terror, innocence, action, morals, truth, sadness, hope, and feelings. The reader will find this novel impossible to predict and full of surprises.

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Photo courtesy of Craig T. Mathew/ATAS

BIOGRAPHY
Mark Glamack is an animator, businessman, director, producer, writer, and patented inventor. He has worked in every area of the animation industry. Over the last twelve years he has created, written, and developed two motion picture projects and a television series. Also, he invented (Scoreguide) which doubles as a marketing tool that brings commerce to the golfer and the golfer to commerce. It also provides low cost advertising for the Dot-Com market.

From 2000 to 2003, Glamack dedicated full time developing a new means for reversing runaway productions. This new process and invention blends a far-reaching business model with the technology that supports it. When implemented, it will reduce production costs from between one-quarter to one-half or less the costs anywhere in the world. Instead of a company sub-contracting their work overseas, they will be able to contract to a U.S. studio across town. Also, in the not too distant future Internet companies will need low cost, high quality content if they ever hope to compete in a global marketplace.

From his early beginnings at Walt Disney Productions, Glamack experienced a level of quality unprecedented in the industry and the attention to details needed to achieve it. While there, he worked on the animated classic “The Jungle Book” and animated many of the special effects for the combination live-action/animation “Bed-Knobs and Broomsticks.” He also worked on the EPCOT promotional film, animation inserts for “The Wonderful World of Disney,” and “The Story of Walt Disney,” a Disneyland attraction.

Drafted out of Disney to serve in the Viet Nam War, Glamack spent a year as a medic with the First Air Cavalry Division based thirty miles from the DMZ. Additionally, he photographed and directed an ambitious documentary entitled, “Is Freedom Just a Word?” He was awarded the Bronze Star.

Back home in the United States, Glamack continued his career working on countless projects for Hanna-Barbera, Filmation Associates, Film Roman, HBO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and others. Some of the titles he has animated, directed or produced are: “All Dogs Go To Heaven”, “Life with Louie”, ”He-Man and Shera-Princess of Power”, “Oliver Twist” “Bobby’s World”, “Zazoo – U”, “Spawn”, “Yogi Bear”, “Scooby-Do”, “Tom & Jerry”, “Dyno-Mutt”, “Future Flipper”, “G.I. Joe”, “A Flintstone Christmas”, “Last of the Curlews”, the animated inserts for “That’s Entertainment II”, and many more. Also, the direct to video projects; “Gen 13”, “Christmas Classics”, “Tom Sawyer”, “All Dogs Christmas”, and “All Dogs Go To Heaven”, In 1999 he was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Special Class–Animated Program for “Life with Louie”.

In 2003, Glamack completed his sixth term as Governor for The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

During those years he created the Over One Hour Program Category for animation and the first annual individual achievement awards’ categories (Emmy’s) for Animators / Background Artists / Background Stylists / Layout Artists / Production Designers / Storyboard Artists / and Voice Over talents. In 1996, he successfully brought the daytime Emmy awards structure for animation consistent with primetime.

Appointed by the President, Glamack served as Vice-Chair for the ATAS Activities Committee 1991 – 1992. Additionally, he served on the Budget, Awards, and Membership Committees.

Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Glamack attended Art Center College of Design, UCLA, PCC, Sherwood Oaks Experimental College and various animation courses.

Mark Glamack’s philosophy includes the belief that future business successes in the entertainment industries will depend largely upon our abilities to compete on a global level through competitive production costs. “Also, we need to positively motivate, educate, enlighten, and inspire through entertaining content with more positive celebration to the human spirit.”

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