Zhang, L. Sam: - L Sam Zhang is the author and illustrator of The First Chinese Festivals series of children's books.Sam was born in Shanghai and grew up in Buffalo, NY. After getting her Ph.D. in neuroscience, she spent a decade on the West Coast doing branding and outreach for startups, research institutes, and non-profits. Sam now lives in Michigan with her husband, children, a dog rescued from Taiwan, and two Bengal cats. She heads a non-profit Chinese language and performing arts school, and hopes to share her interest in Chinese culture and mythology with everyone. Visit LSamZhang.com to learn more.