Lara Jones
Lara Kate Jones (1975 – 26 March 2010) was a British artist, children's author and illustrator. She is best remembered for her Poppy Cat series of children's books, which have been published in 20 languages and sold over two and a half million copies. In 2012 a major award was set up in her name by Macmillan Children's books, called The Lara Jones Illustration Award, with a prize of £500 for the best illustration for a children's book by a new illustrator. So far there have been four winners. Early life Lara Kate Jones, was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire and spent her childhood in Shropshire. Both of her parents were writers. Her father was Ivan Jones the best selling fiction writer and poet, and her mother Mal Lewis Jones was also a children's writer. Lara was the first born of their three children, her siblings being Levin, a professional violinist and Jessica an artist, poet and singer songwriter. Lara studied art at Canterbury College of Art and then at Cheltenham College and went on to work at the Royal Academy and the Inkshed artists' agency before becoming a full-time writer and illustrator. As a writer She published many books, but