Palmetto, FL – Bright colors, joyful laughter, and heartfelt memories filled the air at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa on March 29, as author and illustrator Bill Shea brought his beloved children’s book A Grandpa Joe Day! to life at a free, family-friendly celebration hosted by The Yard.
Dozens of families gathered for a high-energy book reading and interactive kids’ activities that honored the story’s uplifting message: even on a rainy day, the sun can shine if you just hang in there.
🌈 From Long Island to the Page: A True Story of Resilience and Love
“Grandpa Joe is Grandpa Joe,” Shea shared. “He passed away when I was in seventh grade, but his love never left my heart.”
The book, based on a real childhood memory, tells the story of a rainy day trip to the amusement park with Shea’s grandfather. While others turned around, Grandpa Joe kept driving. “And wouldn’t you know it?” Shea smiled. “The sun came out, and we had the park to ourselves.”
The phrase “Maybe it’ll be a Grandpa Joe Day” became a staple in Shea’s family—an optimistic mantra when clouds gathered.
“So grandpa was very positive and very optimistic, and that's sort of something that he really instilled in me, and I try to be as positive as I possibly can,” Shea said. “I think this book is really important now because kids want things right away. In the book, the rain's going to stop, the clouds are going to go away, and then the sun's going to come out. So, eventually, things are going to be okay. Sometimes, you're not going to get everything that you want; you're not going to get it right away. But if you're hanging there long enough, things are going to sort of chill out, and it's going to be fine.”
🎨 Every Page Tells a Personal Story
As both the author and illustrator, Shea embedded layers of personal meaning throughout the book’s artwork.
“That’s my dog, that’s the street I grew up on. The fortune teller? That’s from an amusement park in Barcelona. Even the cat clock on the wall—we had that growing up,” he said.
The fortune teller, a quirky, wide-eyed character, is always a crowd favorite during school visits.
“Kids don’t lie. They either love it or they don’t—most of the time they really love it,” Shea laughed.
📖 “Cool Kids Read Books”: A Lifelong Passion for Reading
Shea, who was once a lonely and imaginative child himself, finds deep fulfillment in encouraging young readers.
“I always say: ‘Cool kids read books,’” he recalled. “I was a big reader. I won the class ‘mountain’ reading contest in 4th grade. It changed everything for me.”
Shea was a visual learner who struggled in traditional classrooms—until a teacher, Mrs. Posananski, saw his talent.
“She saved my life. She saw something in me, told my mom I had a gift, and pushed me into the arts. Between her and Grandpa Joe, they set me on the path I’m still on today.”
🧑🎨 Manifesting Dreams, One Step at a Time
Before becoming an author, Shea spent over 30 years as a top advertising creative director, later leading campaigns for Autism Speaks. But A Grandpa Joe Day! is something different: it’s a passion project that almost didn’t happen.
“I started drawing, then got stuck. I thought my art wasn’t good enough,” he admitted. But after a trip to Barnes & Noble, he realized: “My drawings were better than 75% of those on the shelves.”
Encouraged by friends and family, he created a prototype for his mother’s birthday. It was a hit. Even after publishers turned him down—claiming “grandparent books don’t sell”—Shea kept going.
“I just said, I’m going to do this. I manifested it. And I made it happen.”
🧒 The Power of Intergenerational Love
The relationship between Grandpa Joe and Billy highlights the unique role grandparents play.
“They offer a different perspective than parents,” Shea explained. “They spoil a little more, they nurture creativity. Grandpa encouraged me when others didn’t. That’s powerful.”
🎭 A Performance That Brought the Book to Life
At the event, Shea’s animated reading had children wide-eyed and giggling.
“I run around the stage, use props, and play a video I created—like an advertising animatic,” he said. “It brings the book to life. It’s more than reading—it’s an experience.”
✨ Advice for Aspiring Young Authors
Shea closed the day with heartfelt advice for budding storytellers:
“Don’t be afraid. Just do it. If you really want it—write your story. Draw your pictures. Focus. Dream big. Make it happen.”
