When I wrote The Adventures of Kitt the Kid over 30 years ago, I included the page about Kitt praying before bed. It was something we did as children, and something I still do as an adult. In today’s far different world, it recently gave me pause for thought. The question of, “Who wouldn’t buy this book because of Kitt’s Christian posture of prayer?” came to mind. The Adventures of Kitt the Kid is about a childhood from my perspective. Since prayer was a part of my childhood, it was naturally included in the book. If I wrote the book today, it would be the same.

I must say, my neighborhood included a diverse background of religions. As children, we were aware of the fact that our friends went to different churches and synagogues, but that never affected our friendships. We were accepting of different faiths. I think that’s because a good example was set by the neighborhood parents. I also think our small town fostered acceptance. When I look back, I’m thankful that growing up in a small town and in a neighborhood that was tightly-knit contributed to a sense of inclusiveness.