Rachael M. Colby has a heart for reconciliation and a passion to uplift those who serve in tough places. She writes to connect cultures’ questions with Christianity’s answers, inspire faith, and motivate. This Jamaican-born, multi-genre award-winning writer, wife, and mom resides in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, runs on chocolate and a lotta “Help me, Jesus,” and blogs at TattooItOnYourHeart.com.

Rachael’s debut picture book, Tropical Dreams, is lush with color and rhythm. Read on to find out the backstory about her precious, new book.

Tell us how the idea for your new book came about.

A miserable, raw, and rainy Cape Cod, Massachusetts winter day originally inspired my children’s picture book, Tropical Dreams. I wished our family could afford a vacation to Jamaica, land of my birth. Perhaps, I thought, a hot shower would wash away my doldrums. The first lines floated into my mind as soon as the water hit my head. “Tropical Dreams, come blow my way…” And my spirits lifted. Oh, the power of words.

How long did it take for the book to come to life, from the initial idea to the launch day of the book?

More than 25 years. My children grew up singing the lines from what would become the first few pages of Tropical Dreams with me. What a sweet moment when my daughter Abigail walked in to hear her daughter Leilani singing them several months before the softcover edition released in April 2026.

The manuscript (a rhyming poem) evolved over the years, especially after I learned about preferred standards for children’s picture books. For example, I rewrote the story a few years ago to make it have perfect rhyme throughout rather than near rhyme often used in songs.

Picture book authors usually have little say in the artwork for their books. Therefore, I added the lines “Black child, white child, hold hands tight. Romp and run from day’s first light,” to Tropical Dreams. This ensured the depiction of Jamaica’s population and national motto, “Out of Many, One People,” as well as the much-needed message of harmony in diversity among ethnicities and cultures.

It took eight months for me to come up with the two lines on the page depicting the church scene. The day before the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference contest deadline, I finished rewriting the manuscript to make all couplets have the same syllable count. Tropical Dreams won first place in their 2022 Foundations Awards.

Award-winning artist Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, who is also of Jamaican heritage, illustrated Tropical Dreams. We met at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference a few years ago. She’s also the founder of Dressed in Love Press, my publisher. Several illustrations represent my granddaughters, Norah and Leilani, including the cover of the softback edition. The baby on the beach at sunset represents my granddaughter, Annika. Likewise, some of Katherine’s family and our favorite places in Jamaica inspired the artwork throughout. What a blessing to capture these in a book. (Thank you, Katherine.)

What is your favorite part of the book?

The message it carries and the lives it will touch are my favorite things about the book. I love that it’s rhythmic and fun. I’m thrilled to hear of the joy and call to slow down people have said it invokes. My favorite illustrations are the one with the swing, the last page of both editions, and the first page of the hardcover.

What message do you hope children will take away from the reading of your book?

I hope children will see and celebrate the beauty and harmony in diversity, the interdependence and connectivity of how God’s creation flows and works together, and how we can too. I want them to see that our differences don’t have to distance us but can enrich us when we work and play together. The United States national motto, “Out of Many, One,” bears a similar message to Jamaica’s. My prayer is that parents and children will remember that and live it.

How many other books have you written?

Tropical Dreams is my first published book in which I’m the sole author. However, I’ve had the honor of contributing to several devotional and Christian inspirational compilation books (from most of which proceeds go to charity) and to Chicken Soup for the Soul. (All available on Amazon.) 

My works-in-progress include children’s books (five beach-themed, a non-fiction Civil Rights story about my family, and some other ideas). I also fly by occasionally and toss words into my other WIPS: a couple devotionals, a book with a twist that offers inspiration and instruction for writers, and a fantasy short story. My nonfiction monster-in-progress, which I’m honored to work on, is about the integration of Oak Ridge, TN. Originally inspired by my in-laws and their friend’s Civil Rights activist stories, it features accounts of citizens from the Black and White communities who were part of this historic process.

Can you give us a hint about your next book?

The next two books in line for publication by Dressed in Love Press are beach-themed and part of my Beach Bound Series of children’s picture books. One is a tongue twister, and the other, which my granddaughter and daughter inspired, has the goal of making a sometimes arduous task fun.

Tell us about your writing journey. When did you first know you wanted to be a children’s author? How long did it take to get your first book published?

Despite having several manuscripts, raising my children with piles of books, and having homeschooled my two youngest, I’m surprised that I’m a children’s author. I thought I was just writing poetry. I think of myself as an inspirational writer. Though I wrote my first piece (a poem) at 10 years old, I didn’t realize I was a writer until 2015. I attended my first writer’s conference (BRMCWC) in 2019. It took almost four years and three publishers from my first pitch to publication of my debut book, Tropical Dreams.

What is the best part of writing for children?

The best part of writing for children is that stories open hearts to education and needed messages such as faith and forgiveness, loving one another, and the importance of family. I’m grateful for the books that drew our family together, provided fun memories, and opened conversations as we read them to our children. I hope to bless other families as those authors blessed ours. And of course, what a joy to have my children and grandchildren reading my stories, some of which they’ve inspired.

Why is writing for children so important to you?

Writing for children allows authors to share their message with two audiences. Children’s picture books provide a backdoor to parents and caregivers. Children are a front door to influencing the future.

Do you have another job besides “writer”?

Wife, mom, “Gramma.” I am also a freelance editor and hope to have more opportunities to teach about the journey and craft of writing.

Tell us about your family.

My husband and I celebrated 35 years of marriage this year. We have three daughters and a son, and three adorable and precocious granddaughters. I still have family living in Jamaica, including my stepmother. My brothers live in Florida; my mom and stepdad in Canada, and my sister in New Zealand. All my children are creative: painting, drawing, floral arranging, etcetera. (I’m an artist too.) Some are writers-in-hiding. My sister is a writer with a few yet unpublished manuscripts. Her two daughters and son are gifted with words and musical ability, and her teenage son has won writing and songwriting awards. God has blessed my family with strong creative genes that go back for generations. I pray to use them for His glory.

Post by Julie Lavender