Sam Garton

Sam Garton is the author and illustrator of the Otter picture book series. Sam began writing and illustrating stories about Otter and her world on the blog I Am Otter: The Unheard Ramblings of a Modern-Day Domestic Otter in 2009. If you ask Sam where he got the idea for Otter, he'd probably stare at you blankly and mumble something about he can't quite remember (it all being a very long time ago now). He has, however, had a love of otters his whole life...which was only slightly tested a few years ago, when he met one on an otter experience day at a petting zoo, and it decided to attach itself to his arm and give him a nip. But things turned out okay, when a real-life Otter Keeper came and saved him, and, eventually, Sam was able to view this first encounter with understanding: The otter was clearly excited to meet Sam and, after all, he would probably have done the same thing in that situation, right?

When he's not drawing otters (or being bitten by one,) Sam loves all forms of art—especially the messy ones. Sam has a degree in Illustration from Derby University, and he has since worked on a large number of creative projects ranging from editorial illustration to art creation for iPad apps for children. He now lives with his wife just outside of London. Find out more at www.samgarton.co.uk