Clark, Ann Nolan, 1896-1995

New Mexico teacher of Native American and Latin American children, and award-winning author.

American author of children's books. Worked as educational specialist, U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1920-1962, as a teacher and author of textbooks; also worked for the Institute of Inter-American Affairs in Central and South America, 1945-1950, writing reading materials for classrooms.

Ann Nolan Clark is best remembered for her books for Native American and Hispanic American children's books, which incorporated cultural values, situations and characters. Among her more than 40 books, Secret of the Andes won a Newbery Medal. She also recieved the Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Dept., of the Interior, and in 1984, was names outstanding author in Arizona. Clark's periodical articles appeared under the name Marie Dunne.

Author, educator. Born in 1896 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She was involved for over 20 years in educational programs of the United States Indian Service and UNESCO. Her children's books include "In My Mother's House" (1941), "Little Navajo Bluebird" (1943), "Secret of the Andes" (1952), "Indian Pottery Maker" (1955), "Paco's Miracle" (1962), "Bear Cub" (1965), "Arizona for Young People" (1968), and "Hoofprint on the Wind" (1972).

Ann Nolan Clark (1896-1995) spent her life as a writer and educator for Native American and Hispanic children of the American Southwest. Many of her works were based on her own personal experiences and travels.

Born in Las Vegas, New Mexico on December 5, 1896, Ann Nolan grew up with children of diverse backgrounds. She graduated from New Mexico's Highlands University in 1919 with a degree in Education. In 1920, she married Thomas Patrick Clark and they had one son.

While Clark worked as a teacher for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1920-1962, she began writing books for children that reflected their culture. She also worked for the Institute of Inter-American Affairs in Central and South America, 1945-1950, training teachers and writing materials for the classroom. Her work with various cultures was a source for her children's books.

She was awarded the New York Herald Tribune Spring Festival Award for In My Mother's House, 1941, and Looking for Something, 1942; the Newbery Medal, 1952, for Secret of the Andes ; U.S. government's Distinguished Service Award, 1962; and the Regina medal, 1963. Throughout her career, her writings, including over 28 trade titles, have presented a variety of cultures with dignity and respect. She died in Tucson on December 6, 1995.

The following seven books were "written at the request of the Institute of Inter-American Affairs for use in any Latin American country."

Mrs. Clark has also held membership in the following organizations:

Ann Nolan Clark was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1896. She worked as a school teacher and started a 42-year career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1920. She realized that Native American children could learn more easily if books were focused on their culture. She wrote over forty children's books and was one of the first Caucasian authors to write books about minorities using elements from their own cultures. In addition to books about Native Americans, she also write books for Hispanic American children, among others. She won the Newbery Medal for her novel, Secret of the Andes. She died in 1995 in Tucson, Arizona.

Biographical source: Something About the Author, vol. 87, p. 43.