About the Author
B
illy Steers began using his artistic talents as a child, creating pictorial diaries of his daily experiences. He furthered his endeavors in college, majoring in Geography with an emphasis in Cartography at the University of Utah. At that time he also was a regular cartoonist for the student newspaper.
Art, however, was not Billy’s first calling as a career. Upon college graduation, he commissioned as a United States Air Force officer serving as a pilot to include participation in the invasion of Panama and the first Gulf War as well as dozens of humanitarian and air support missions around the world. After leaving active duty service, he began apprenticing with a well-known children’s book author and illustrator to learn the process of writing and illustrating children’s books. During this time he contributed to over forty titles in a variety of formats as a contract artist.
In April 1999, Billy introduced the first children’s book that he wrote and illustrated, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm. Originally published by Golden Books, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm tells the story of Sibley the work horse who feels slighted when a “shiny new tractor comes and takes over his chores.” Sibley and Mac overcome their differences and become “the best of friends.” The Tractor Mac stories are inspired by Billy’s love of antique machinery, farm life and by his experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in Connecticut.
2024 marks the 25 year anniversary of the first publication of Tractor Mac and Billy is proud to have created 21 titles in a variety of formats to include picture books, board books and specialty books. His latest title in the series, Tractor Mac Autumn is Here will be released this fall.
When he is not drawing, Billy is a commercial pilot with American Airlines. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Julie. He has three grown sons.
About the Author
B
illy Steers began using his artistic talents as a child, creating pictorial diaries of his daily experiences. He furthered his endeavors in college, majoring in Geography with an emphasis in Cartography at the University of Utah. At that time he also was a regular cartoonist for the student newspaper.
Art, however, was not Billy’s first calling as a career. Upon college graduation, he commissioned as a United States Air Force officer serving as a pilot to include participation in the invasion of Panama and the first Gulf War as well as dozens of humanitarian and air support missions around the world. After leaving active duty service, he began apprenticing with a well-known children’s book author and illustrator to learn the process of writing and illustrating children’s books. During this time he contributed to over forty titles in a variety of formats as a contract artist.
In April 1999, Billy introduced the first children’s book that he wrote and illustrated, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm. Originally published by Golden Books, Tractor Mac Arrives at the Farm tells the story of Sibley the work horse who feels slighted when a “shiny new tractor comes and takes over his chores.” Sibley and Mac overcome their differences and become “the best of friends.” The Tractor Mac stories are inspired by Billy’s love of antique machinery, farm life and by his experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in Connecticut.
2019 marks the 20 year anniversary of the first publication of Tractor Mac and Billy is proud to have created 21 titles in a variety of formats to include picture books, board books and specialty books. His latest title in the series, Tractor Mac Autumn is Here will be released this fall.
When he is not drawing, Billy is a commercial pilot with American Airlines. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Julie. He has three grown sons.