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 more than 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.

Lara Kate Jones was born in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, England, 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, going on to work at the Royal Academy and the Inkshed artists' agency before becoming a full-time writer and illustrator.

She published many books, but is best remembered for her Poppy Cat series, which are published by Macmillan/Campbell Books. These books, for the very young, have sold in 20 languages and nearly two million copies. They are published in Brazil, Spain, France, Italy, Mexico, Finland, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Japan, as well as other countries. To date, there have been two major television animated series of 52 episodes each and were produced by Nick Jr. and BAFTA award-winning King Rollo Films. The 104 episodes are shown all over the world including America and Great Britain.

Jones was awarded the 2004 Sheffield Baby Book prize (bronze) and then a Booktrust Early Years Award for Poppy Cat's Farm in 2005.

Poppy Cat Hug won the Bronze Award at the Right Start Best Toy Award 2006.

Swap the Scene Poppy Cat was a Bronze Award winner of the Practical Parenting Award 2006.