Local 13-Y.O. Author Inspires Business Leaders In “Glowstone Peak”
A Tale of Leadership & Collaboration through the Eyes of Children

By ARDEN IZZO
Farrow Communications

When 13-year old Sebastian Hurt, a native of Laurel MD, wrote the picture book “Glowstone Peak” with his parents, he intended it to be for his peers. After the picture book was released in July, it became clear the message resonated with business leaders across the country.

Though “Glowstone Peak” is a fantasy book written for children, it is generating buzz among adults as the message promotes empathetic leadership and encourages readers to be agents of change—a topic increasingly important in today’s political climate. With different social, political, and economic opinions in today's society, it is important to be open to other perspectives and not be biased or judgmental. This book offers these important life lessons through the  eyes of children.

“I can't believe adults like my book! A lot of the story is told through the drawings and adults don’t usually read picture books,” says Sebastian, who wrote the book to help kids communicate better.

Many of us were raised with the notion that children were to be seen and not heard. We were taught to be respectful, to follow the rules, and to be compliant with authority. But after childhood we discover challenging the status quo is what brings new thought and possibilities into the world. It’s not easy to forge a new path and go against the grain. It is an art that should be taught.

Non-conformists are pejoratively thought of as rebellious and difficult—and they often are—but perhaps it is because these change agents never learned the fine art of questioning and leadership in childhood. This book encourages readers to question the status quo respectfully and peacefully. With lessons that resonate with both children and adults, Glowstone Peak is an amazing tool to teach necessary life skills on leadership and collaboration.

The book itself is a tangible representation of the leadership lessons within; it is a product of a family collaborating and working together to accomplish a common goal. Sebastian (a 13-year old lover of science-fiction and magic) created the characters, the fantasy plot, and the concept drawings for the book while his parents, Karin Hurt, David Dye, provided the foundational lessons based on their family values.

The book provides lessons on multiple platforms; it includes a section of questions and talking points in the back, and it also comes with access to enrichment activities online. Books on leadership and collaboration are often dry (if presented to adults) or have a syrupy-sweet, after-school-special tone (if presented to kids.) Sebastian Hurt has found a way to push the boundaries and created a story that’s entertaining and educational for readers of all ages.

More About the Book:

Visit: https://www.amazon.com/GlowstonePeak

A defining tale of our time, “Glowstone Peak” is a moving story of courage, influence, and hope that challenges young and old readers alike to question what “everybody says.”

When magic disappears from the Brightwood Forest, Selvia decides she must do something to bring it back. No one trusts the Gnomes and fearsome creatures that live in the mountains, but Selvia wonders if they’re really to blame. She sets out on an adventure to restore the life she has always known but discovers a new magic along the way. Richly illustrated, this moving and beautiful story will inspire readers of all ages to question what “everyone says” and find a new magic of their own.

About the Hurt-Dye Family:

Sebastian Hurt and his parents Karin Hurt and David Dye are the authors of “Glowstone Peak”. The family wrote this book to help both kids (and now adults) learn about collaboration and leadership. Hurt and Dye are internationally recognized leadership and employee engagement experts and the founders of Let’s Grow Leaders.

Like his parents, Sebastian is also a leader and entrepreneur. He loves to make ordinary days magical with an illusion and entertainment business he created called Laughter and Magic.

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