Tracy Watland Brings Positivity And Kindness To Life Through Stories That Inspire Children And Adults

Photo: Tracy Watland, Author Of Heartwarming And Empowering Children’s Stories, Advocates For Kindness And Positivity With Her Signature Creativity And Enthusiasm.

Celebrating The Heartfelt Lessons And Whimsical Magic Of Tracy Watland’s Writing

Tracy Watland explores childhood creativity, emotional growth, and the power of kindness through her books, blending humor and heart to inspire children to embrace their voices and follow their dreams.

Tracy Watland is a treasure in the world of children’s literature—a writer who doesn’t just pen stories, but crafts whole worlds infused with humor, heart, and hope. Her books are not mere tales; they are guiding lights, illuminating paths of kindness, courage, and self-belief for young minds. Whether it’s through the whimsical verses of The Witch’s New Britches, the empowering lessons of Bluebird of Happy, or the magical musical adventures found in Abby’s Magic Music: Billy’s Story, Tracy’s work resonates deeply and meaningfully with children and adults alike.

As a Kindness Advocate and a relentless pursuer of positivity, Tracy has mastered the art of weaving life-changing emotional lessons into her stories with remarkable ease. Her natural ability to connect with children—through humor, vulnerability, and wisdom—ensures her books are not only entertaining but transformative. And it’s not just young readers who find solace in her words; parents and educators cherish Tracy’s works for the lasting impact they create.

In this upcoming interview, we had the incredible opportunity to delve into the mind of this luminous author. Tracy shares the motivation behind her uplifting stories, the influences from her own childhood, and the remarkable moments where her work sparked movements of kindness and connection. Fueled by creativity and love, Tracy Watland’s books are a testament to the belief that every child’s voice matters, and every act of kindness has the potential to ripple into something extraordinary. Prepare to be inspired by the magic she creates, one story at a time.

Tracy Watland’s transformative stories champion kindness, courage, and self-belief, leaving lasting impact on young hearts and growing minds.

What inspired you to start writing children’s books centered on positivity and self-belief?

A child’s mind is most open and receptive during the first 7 years. This is when fundamental beliefs, behaviors and habits that can impact someone’s lives are developed. I wanted to share happy messages to reinforce that foundation for kids; helping them grow into kind, secure grown-ups.

How did your own childhood experiences influence the themes in your stories?

Louise Hay from Hay House Publishing once told me to write books that I needed as a child, and to write what I would’ve wanted to read as a kid. So, I took all the things I loved -giving, helping, animals, music, etc. and created a world I’d want to live in through my books.

“A child’s mind is most open and receptive during the first 7 years.” – Tracy Watland

Can you share the story behind The Witch’s New Britches and what message you hoped to convey through it?

That was a silly poem that popped into my head when I was driving home from a “Writing for Children” class I took at Columbia College in Chicago years ago. It was also written for my Godchildren. It’s meant to make kids laugh with a subtle message that it doesn’t matter  how the world sees you. It’s about what you have underneath it all that counts.

The Kindness Can encourages compassion and courage—how did you come up with the “rules” in the book?

I wanted to write about what Kindness can do. And I love doing Random Acts of Kindness..or being a RAKer. As I was researching other stories about Kindness there were so many conflicting messages about what being kind means. I wanted it to be simple, because it is.  Be Compassionate, Be Courageous, simply Decide and do it. I wanted to collect all those Kind acts somewhere others could see and be inspired to do their own. So all the things Kindness can do evolved into The Kindness Can. Currently out of print but coming back in 2026 to celebrate its 10^th Anniversary.

What role does music play in Abby’s Magic Music: Billy’s Story, and why did you choose it as a central theme?

I’m a music lover. Music makes EVERYTHING better.  I have a lot of friends who are musicians, and one particular friend owns a musical instrument store that is truly pure Magic. It’s the perfect setting to tell many character-building stories through many musical characters; some of whom actually hang out in the real store.

In Bluebird of Happy, Mac overcomes criticism to find his voice—how important is this lesson for children today?

It’s crucial! There are so many loud and/or bullying voices that get heard simply because of the volume of delivery.  Sometimes the more gentle or quiet voices are drowned out. I was one of those kids whose voice was often overpowered by more forceful opinions. I often felt  what I had to say didn’t matter. Or I wasn’t being heard.  Life finally taught me that everyone’s voice counts, and people don’t have to agree with you.  But whatever your gift is, you are meant to share it. And whatever you feel you want to give a voice to; you should speak it. The right people will hear you. And it might be exactly what they need to hear too.

How do you balance humor and deeper emotional messages in your books for young readers?

By making it a safe space. Humor is the way into kids’ hearts and minds. It creates safety, making them feel more engaged and open. I use humor to build connection, but I also make sure there’s room for real emotion underneath the laughs; along with a character to help guide them through the tricky or scary parts. I want kids to feel seen and empowered when they finish my books. I feel like humor keeps things light enough to carry some of the heavier emotions. And I make sure to give them tools to work through it all.

What has been the most touching response you’ve received from a parent or child about your work?

There are so many, but it truly touches my heart when a parent thanks me for writing a particular book because the message is exactly what their child needed to hear. Or when a child wants to share a secret or story with me related to one of my characters, because they know I’m a safe space and I understand them.  I think my favorite moment was when a school built their own giant Kindness Can and used it to collect food donations for a local food pantry. They were so proud to show it to me during my visit, and I was so proud of them for taking Kindness and The Kindness Can to another level.

Do you have a particular writing routine or ritual that helps you tap into your creativity?

Not really. I’ve always been a “just wing it”, ride the wave when it hits you kinda girl. I know who my characters are, and I know what my message is.  I also know where I want to start and where I want to finish each book.  I leave it up to my characters to tell me their story. And sometimes I edit and re edit until it’s just right. Sometimes they tell me when I’m driving or in the shower or taking care of my flowers. Sometimes I get “messages” in song lyrics. Sometimes they wake me up at 3am. When the time is right it just flows through me.

What advice would you give to aspiring children’s authors who want to write with heart and purpose?

Follow your heart. Write the stories your 5 year old or 10 year old self wanted to read. And don’t worry so much about all the “rules.” Somehow, some way, your story/book will end up where it’s supposed to be in the hands of who needs it. If you have an idea or a desire to write it’s because you’re the one that’s meant to bring that story into the world. NEVER give up!

Tracy Watland is a talented children’s author whose stories blend imagination, music, and life lessons. Through her books, she encourages young readers to embrace curiosity, courage, and creativity.

Abby’s Magic Music: Carried Away follows Abby and her friends as they help Billy face his fears on the Magic Music Stage. Amid playful melodies and enchanting moments, Billy learns that the scary shadows are just in his imagination. Will he let fear take over, or will fun prevail?