The Colourful World of Poppy Starr Olsen

Poppy Starr Olsen grew up on Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach. Her whole life has been spent moving and creating, from surfing, swimming and skating to drawing, painting and jewellery design.

Poppy took up skating at age eight, and in 2014 she was crowned world under 14s champion, continuing her reign the following year in the over 15s category. In 2016, Poppy was the first Australian woman to compete at the Summer X Games, and in 2017 she won bronze in the women’s skateboard park as well as gold at the inaugural World Roller Games in Nanjing, China. Fast forward to 2021 and Poppy burst onto the world stage when she made her Olympic debut in the women’s skateboarding in Tokyo, finishing fifth overall.

Poppy is now based in Newcastle and divides her time between Australia and wherever the world competition takes her.

Jess Black is an award-winning author of over forty children's books. Jess has written the Tales of Mr Walker series about a dog who comes to live in the fanciest hotel in town. Jess has also written the Kitty is Not a Cat series, Little Paws series and the Keeper of the Crystals series; and is co-author of the hugely successful Bindi Wildlife Adventure series, the Kaboom Kid series and the Animal Tales series.