Samantha R. Vamos is an award-winning children’s author of six picture books including The Piñata That The Farm Maiden Hung (Charlesbridge 2019, Sebastià Serra illustrator) and its companion book, The Cazuela That The Farm Maiden Stirred (Charlesbridge 2011, Rafael López illustrator) – 2012 Pura Belpré Illustration Honor, as well as a rhyming, alphabet transportation series with illustrator Ryan O’Rourke: Alphabet Boats (Charlesbridge 2018), Alphabet Trains (2015) – CCBC Choices 2016 Selection, and Alphabet Trucks (2013) – IRA-CBC 2014 Children’s Choices Selection.  Samantha’s first book, Before You Were Here, Mi Amor (Viking 2009, Santiago Cohen illustrator), won the 2010 WA State Book Award. A former practicing attorney, Samantha was born in the Midwest, grew up on the East Coast, and lived in the Pacific Northwest before moving to the Bay Area where she and her family now live.