As children grow and begin making more independent choices, parents often wonder how to guide them without controlling them. The fantasy novel Littluns: And the Book of Darkness explores this tension through an adventure that operates on multiple levels. Written by the late Mark Glamack, an animator, director, producer, and writer whose career included work for Walt Disney Studios and an Emmy nomination for his contribution to Life with Louie, the book is designed for readers ages 12 and older but resonates with adults as well.
Glamack, who also served six terms as a governor of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, believed in creating an alternative to popular books that he felt sent the wrong messages to impressionable minds. In an interview, he explained, "For some time now, many parents, and others, have voiced their concerns about popular books that send the wrong messages to impressionable, unsuspecting minds." His answer was Littluns, a story that does not suggest darkness disappears simply because someone chooses good. Instead, darkness remains present, challenging and tempting characters to redirect their paths. The central question is whether it is allowed to win.
That theme gives the novel relevance beyond its fantasy setting. Young people today navigate a world where influences arrive constantly from almost everywhere, while adults try to prepare them for decisions they ultimately cannot make on their behalf. Glamack captured this responsibility in one of the novel's central observations: "If you surround yourself with good and righteous people, they can only raise you up. If you surround yourself with the others, they will drag you down into the doldrums of mediocrity, and they will keep you there, but only as long as you permit it." The final words emphasize that Littluns is ultimately about choice, not helplessness. The light in the story prevails despite darkness, not because darkness never appears.
This dual appeal allows younger readers to experience the adventure and struggle between opposing forces, while parents and older readers can see larger questions underneath: Who are we listening to? What are we allowing into our lives? And when we realize we have wandered in the wrong direction, do we still have the ability to choose differently? For Glamack, the answer was yes. His description of Littluns emphasized hope, determination, and the human spirit, and the book has received recognition including Mom's Choice Awards Gold honors and a Dove Award.
Mark's sister and publisher, Stephanie Glamack, notes that the book was written for younger readers just beginning to "live life," but it also speaks to adults who understand how consequential seemingly small choices can become. As families head toward the holiday season and search for something meaningful, Littluns offers more than an escape into a fantasy world. It offers something to think about, something to discuss, and perhaps most importantly, something to carry forward after the book is closed. For more information, visit Littluns.net.
