Author’s children’s book launch

Jo Cuskelly (with son Jack and Scott Rheuben) take questions at the book launch.

By Jeremy Sollars

Former Warwick resident and talented artist Jo Cuskelly returned to the Rose City last week to help launch a new children’s book she illustrated.
In company with the book’s author, Lismore-based writer Scott Rheuben, Jo took questions from the audience and signed copies of ‘Roses Are NOT Red’ at the launch at the Warwick Art Gallery last Thursday, 13 April.
‘Roses Are NOT Red’ has been described as “a playful story that at its heart emphasises that things are not always what we’ve been led to believe”, and that “Life is not black and white – it’s all a matter of perspective”.
Jo and Scott have been doing the rounds to promote the beautifully-illustrated book and spoke at the launch of the unique relationship between author and illustrator – who in this case often communicated via Skype – and the trials and tribulations of book publishing.
Jo formerly lived in Warwick where her husband Peter was principal of Wheatvale State School. With sons Jack and Harry the Cuskellys are currently in Charleville where Peter is the state school principal.
Jo and Scott are currently collaborating on a new book, ‘The Wolf That Cried Woof’, the story of a wolf cub who can only bark and not howl.
Copies of ‘Roses Are NOT Red’ are available online from any good book store, and copies are also available for sale from the Warwick Art Gallery.
A dollar from every purchase goes to the charity HeartKids, which assists families coping with childhood heart disease.