About Jessica Policarpo

Jessica enjoys reading, going to the movies, tending her garden, cooking, and traveling in her camper with her family.

Born in 1974 to an Italian father and Dutch mother, she grew up abroad: twelve years in Africa, four in Taiwan, and two in Australia. In 1993 she moved to Italy and graduated from the University of Turin with a degree in foreign languages and literature (English and Spanish literature). She worked for fifteen years in the film, television and music industries as a make-up artist and sfx artist. She has also taught English at various school levels. In 2006, she decided to change her life, leaving the urban rhythms of Turin to move to the countryside in Tuscany, where she still lives with her husband, their two daughters and dog.

After many years as a teacher, Jessica decided to start writing, her lifelong dream.

Her first children’s book in the Kara series, Kara and the magic camper, tells the story of Kara and her friends and their adventure in the enchanted forest.

Published in 2024 in three languages: English, Italian (Kara e il camper magico) and Spanish (Kara y la autocaravana magica)

The English version was a finalist in the “American writing awards” in 2024, and a finalist in the “Children’s International book awards” in 2025.

The Italian version Kara e il camper magico came a finalist in the Parole a Braccio 2025 literary contest.

Her second book, Kara and the two Mysteries, tells the story of Kara and her friends setting off on their first vacation with their camper. Published in 2025 in two languages English and Italian (Kara e i due Misteri).

The third book Flying into Wonder-Volando nella Meraviglia-is a collection of free verse, illustrated poems dedicated to Kara Everson and written in 1993 in Sydney, Australia. Published in 2025 in dual language English-Italian.