Children's Literature Press Kit

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Short Bio: 

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Anita Crawford Clark is an award-winning author and illustrator of fiction and nonfiction books for children. Her debut picture book, Old to Joy, celebrates the beauty of ordinary Black life and the power of intergenerational love. It received the SCBWI OMA (Out from the Margins) Award and was named a 2024 CBC Librarians’ Favorite (Top Ten Choice). A veteran K–12 educator, Anita brings over two decades of experience empowering young minds—both in the classroom and on stage through musical theatre. Her work reflects her deep belief in the transformative power of storytelling, art, and culturally grounded learning.

 

Anita’s creativity is rooted in the storytelling traditions of her family and inspired by her joyful engagement with everyday life. Her art and stories explore universal themes—love, courage, faith, and belonging—through a lens that honors family, culture, and community. Whether through story, illustration, or education, Anita’s mission is clear: to help children feel seen, valued, and inspired to live with joy and confidence. She holds a BA in Sociology, an MFA in Creative Writing, and a PhD in Psychology. Anita lives with her family in Sacramento, CA. You can connect with Anita on Twitter (@AnitaLClark), Instagram (@AnitasFavPics) or visit her website at AnitaCrawfordClark.com.

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Full Bio: 

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Anita Crawford Clark is a writer and illustrator of fiction and nonfiction books for children. She is an inaugural recipient of the SCBWI OMA (Out from the Margins) Award for her manuscript of her debut picture book, OLD TO JOY, which was also a 2024 CBC Librarians’ Favorite Award Winner (Top Ten Choice). Anita’s stories and illustrations celebrate the beauty of ordinary Black life and the extraordinary power of joy, resilience, and belonging.

 

A veteran K–12 educator, Anita has spent her career empowering students in classrooms and on stages, often directing musical theatre and designing meaningful, culturally responsive curriculum. Her creative expression also flows through her love of music—she plays piano, banjo, and drums—and her passion for cooking family recipes like gumbo and sweet potato pie.

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Anita’s artistic voice was shaped by her storytelling roots. She grew up listening to family stories that were as rich as any book. Her aunt, historian Dr. Margaret Washington of Cornell University, once described Anita’s creativity as the fusion of an individually creative soul and an infectious joy for everyday life. That perspective continues to shape Anita’s vibrant, emotionally resonant art—art that celebrates ordinary life and culture.

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Like some early nineteenth-century creators, Anita feels that the symbolic value or meaning of a work of art emanates from the re-creation of emotional experiences in the observer through color, line, and composition. While her art often draws from Black experiences, its emotional depth speaks across cultures—reflecting universal themes of love, faith, grief, joy, courage, and hope.  Her goal, always, is to create stories and images that help children feel seen, valued, and inspired to grow into the best of who they are.

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Anita’s stories for children are more than words on a page—they are invitations to wonder, feel, and grow. Each book is crafted with the intention to uplift, offering young readers a mirror of their own beauty and strength. Her writing encourages children to know their worth, find courage in the face of challenge, and carry joy with them into the world. She writes not just to tell stories, but to plant seeds of confidence, belonging, and hope in every child who turns the page.

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Anita began her college career at Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles before transferring to UC Davis, where she earned a BA in Sociology. She also holds an MFA in Creative Writing and a PhD in Media Psychology. She lives with her family in Sacramento, CA.

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You can connect with Anita on
Instagram: @AnitasFavPics

Twitter: @AnitaLClark
Website: AnitaCrawfordClark.com

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