Claire Winlow-Vostrovsky

Claire Winlow-Vostrovsky (; October 27, 1871 – March 5, 1963) was a Czech-American author, educator, librarian, and advocate for Czech culture in the United States. She wrote children's books in the Our Little Cousin series, introducing young American readers to various European cultures, including those of Bohemia, Finland, Romania, and others. Winlow was recognized as the first Czech-American woman to earn a university degree and actively promoted Czech history and literature through lectures and translations.

Early life and education Winlow was born on October 27, 1871, in West Point, Nebraska, to Czech immigrant parents Jaroslav (Jerome) Vostrovský (1836–1901), originally from eastern Bohemia, and Anna Vostrovská (1839–1922). She grew up in a Czech family alongside her older sister Anna, who later married Czech-American historian Tomáš Čapek, and younger brother Jeremy. The family relocated several times before settling in San Jose, California, in 1883, where her father's home became a center for local Czech expatriate life.

She co-wrote a book on Ukraine with her daughter Anna, who later authored additional series entries and collaborated with Czech illustrator Marie Fischerová-Kvěchová. Winlow's other children's stories include The Kitten that Grew Too Fat (1929), about a kitten at the British royal court, and Flick and Flock (1930), featuring two puppies. As a translator, she translated a children's book by Czech author Josef Kožíšek from Czech and a play by Alexander Ostrovsky from Russian.

Personal life and late life Winlow's daughter Anna lived in Chico, California, and assisted with her mother's later works. Both maintained strong ties to Czech culture through their family's heritage and community involvement.

Winlow died on March 5, 1963, at age 92 in her daughter's home in Chico, after several years of blindness.