Barbara McClintock (born May 6, 1955) is an American illustrator and author of children's books.

[2] She moved to North Dakota with her mother and sister when she was nine years old.

After attending Jamestown College in Jamestown, North Dakota, she moved to New York City a week following her 20th birthday on the recommendation of Maurice Sendak, whom she called to ask advice about how to become a children's book illustrator.

[3] She studied briefly at the Art Students League of New York.

McClintock worked for Jim Henson illustrating books for his Fraggle Rock cable television series early in her career.