Local Author Launches Kids Book On Cowra Breakout

Local author Lusi Austin will launch her new book “Jack’s Visit To Cowra” at the Cowra Library next Thursday, with the fictional story painting a real picture of the Cowra Breakout that young children can get a grasp on.

The story follows a young city boy, Jack, who travels to the country to spend the weekend with his grandparents. While there, Jack hears the compelling story of a Japanese man being found by his Pa in a chicken coop many years ago.

Cowra was chosen as a place to have a camp of captured Japanese soldiers. Pa recalls the night that the soldiers broke out.

The book also deals with the post-war restoration and friendship that occurred between Japan and Australia because of the kindness shown by the people of Cowra.

Lusi said she wrote the book because she wanted her kids to be able to access the story of what happened in Cowra during and after the time of the Cowra POW Breakout.

“I decided to write a children’s book that would be told from a child’s perspective so it would engage young readers,” she said.

Lusi said she had the help of local author Kim Kelly, as well as local history experts Lawrance Ryan and Graham Apthorpe.

“When it was done both gave it their tick of approval so I knew we could go ahead with the publication process,” she said.

The book will be officially launched on Thursday 2nd December at the Cowra Library at 6.30pm.

Lusi will be on deck to talk about the book, which is her debut children’s book.

To book your place at her launch, please register to attend via the Eventbrite website, or call the library on 6340 2180.

• Topics:
• Literature / Writing