Ann Nolan Clark facts for kids

Ann Nolan Clark, born Anna Marie Nolan (December 5, 1896 – December 13, 1995), was an American writer. She is well-known for writing many books, especially for children. In 1953, she won a very important award called the Newbery Medal for her book Secret of the Andes.

Ann Nolan Clark's Life Story

Ann Nolan Clark was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, in 1896. She went to college at New Mexico Normal School (which is now New Mexico Highlands University). She graduated when she was 21 years old. She later married Thomas Patrick Clark and had a son, Thomas Patrick Jr., who sadly passed away.

Teaching and Writing for Children

Ann Nolan Clark started her career teaching English at Highlands University. But in the early 1920s, she found a new path. She began teaching Native American children at the Tesuque pueblo. She loved this job and stayed there for 25 years!

The Tesuque School didn't have many books or supplies. Ann realized that the children needed stories that reflected their own lives and culture. So, she started writing books for them. She used their voices and stories to create books like In My Mother's House. These books were perfect for children in the first to fourth grades. She later wrote about her experiences teaching and traveling in her adult book, Journey to the People.

Between 1940 and 1951, the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs published 15 of her books. All of these books were about her experiences with Native American cultures. Her book In My Mother's House, which had beautiful pictures by Pueblo artist Velino Herrera, was recognized as a Caldecott Honor book in 1942. This is a special award for children's picture books.

Travels and More Books

In 1945, Ann Nolan Clark was sent by the Institute for Inter-American Affairs to travel and live in several countries. For five years, she explored Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. These travels gave her many new ideas for her stories.

Her experiences in South and Central America inspired her to write books like Magic Money and Looking-for-Something. One of her most famous books from this time was Secret of the Andes. This book won the prestigious 1953 Newbery Medal, which is given to the author of the most outstanding American book for children.

Ann Nolan Clark also wrote books for the Haskell Foundation and the Haskell Indian Nations University. One of these books, "The Slim Butte Raccoon," was illustrated by Andrew Standing Soldier.

Awards and Legacy

Ann Nolan Clark received many awards for her writing. Besides the Newbery Medal and Caldecott Honor, she also won the Catholic Library Association's 1963 Regina Medal. In 1962, she received the Distinguished Service Award from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Ann Nolan Clark passed away in 1995 in Arizona. She wrote a total of 31 books during her life. Most of her books explored Native American culture, often seen through the eyes of children. Her stories helped many young readers learn about different cultures and ways of life.