Sam graduated from the University of West England and his debut picture book Can You See Sassoon? was shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize and the Red House Children's Book Award.

He is particularly admired for his technical drawing skill and prowess with watercolour. Also a talented pianist, when he's not holding a pen, you'll find him perfecting a fiendishly difficult piece of Chopin.He is also creator of the bestselling seasonal series about a boy and his grandfather: SNOW, STORM, SUN and RAIN.