I recently received an email from someone, asking me to post her activity ideas. Her "multicultural" activity ideas. I sighed and said, "Sure! You bet."

I posted both of her articles that very day. Generally speaking, any time I am asked to post an article that appeals to the early childhood arena, I agree to post - so long as it's family friendly, etc (and not full of self promotion and embedded links).

I sent Daria the link in order to show her that the articles were up. She replied, telling me about her Multicultural Book Review page, inviting me to check it out and share with others.

Oh, joy, I thought. Yet another person who claims to be "all inclusive" but I'll bet ten bucks she has NOTHING on her page about Christian books or the mention of Jesus. Just like so many sites these days. They are willing to mention ANY group but one group: Christians. We have become this hated, ridiculed, don't-mention-them-in-schools sector of people - based primarily on the media who so maturely (inject sarcasm now) portray the niche moron groups that host anti-this and anti-that gatherings.

That's not the majority of us, as the more open-minded people would attest to.

We are, however, and always will be, a large culture of people who share common beliefs on many levels - just like EVERY OTHER GROUP that claims a faith of some kind.

While taking courses in college, including a Multicultural class, I vowed that when I teach, I will represent every class of people. I'll purchase books that cover different genres and faiths, religions, beliefs and so on. No one will need to feel left out because I'll survey the parents at the start of the year to find out what cultures are represented and I'll make sure everyone gets to feel cared about. And yep - that includes the kiddos who come from Protestant or Catholic homes.

I waited for a few minutes before clicking over to this so-called Multicultural Book Review page, assuming I'd find everything talked about but MY culture.

Well, holy crud.

There's a Max Lucado book on the page. And the word "JESUS." Huh? For real? There's an Amish story, too, and a Sioux book and a Kwanzaa book and a Dreidel story and a Mexican Folktale and more.

I wrote to the author and thanked her for actually and truly being all-inclusive and Multicultural.

I mean it. Thank you for not only caring about all other cultures but for caring about my family's beliefs as well. Thank you for not being afraid to type out "JESUS" in your blog post; even if you, yourself, don't believe what I believe. Thank you for being willing to view my beliefs as valuable and worthy, also. Thank you for sharing about a book that my children might benefit from, within the realm of the faith we hold dear.

Thanks for being a grown up.

I really do appreciate it.

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Another website that offers a range of ideas and songs for both Jewish and Christian folks: Kiboomu.com