Meet the Author
Samuel M. Riley is the creator behind Sammy the Sailor™, a vibrant children’s book series that inspires curiosity, kindness, and a sense of adventure.
After years of working as a Learning & Development Manager aboard cruise ships, Samuel has sailed over 285,000 nautical miles across six continents, working alongside crew members and guests from over 100 countries. From watching glaciers crack in Alaska to ringing in the New Year from the shores of Australia, his life at sea has shaped the stories he now brings to young readers through his books.
His debut title, Sammy and the Secret Shortcut, was born from a real memory — the first time he passed through the legendary Panama Canal. “It felt like stepping into a living textbook,” he recalls. “You see it on maps and in documentaries, but sailing through it… it’s unforgettable.” That awe-inspiring moment would later become the anchor for his first book — a playful, poetic journey through one of the world’s most fascinating waterways.
Through Samuel Riley Stories LLC, Samuel writes, illustrates, and publishes books that blend imagination with real-world history, geography, and culture. Each story is filled with intention — from the colorful characters to the subtle visual details. Even Sammy’s four fingers are a hidden tribute to Samuel’s two Panama Canal crossings: one Atlantic to Pacific, and one back again. A sailor’s secret, shared quietly with those who look closely.
Samuel believes that stories are how we explore the world when we’re small — and how we return to it with understanding when we’re grown. His mission is to help children see the world as wide, beautiful, and worth discovering. With each new installment in the Sammy the Sailor™ series, readers will travel to new places, encounter new cultures, and learn that bravery, kindness, and curiosity go a long way — both at sea and on land.
When he’s not writing or sketching new adventures, Samuel enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and helping other creatives bring their stories to life. Though he’s sailed across the globe, he’s proud to call the heartland of Iowa home — proof that great stories can come from anywhere, and go everywhere.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Whether you’re a parent, educator, fellow traveler, or curious reader — I’m so glad you’ve found your way to Sammy’s story. I can’t wait to share what’s next.
Warm winds and safe crossings,
Samuel M. Riley
Founder, Samuel Riley Stories LLC