The late Coleen C. Salley, world renowned children’s book author and true New Orleanian, will be honored with a new sculpture in Storyland made possible by donations from her family and friends. The installation will include a sculpture of Ms. Salley sitting on a beautiful bench along with the star of her books, Epossumondas, sitting on her lap. “This will be another great interactive installation to Storyland and we expect it to be a big hit with the visitors to Storyland, not to mention the many fans of Coleen Salley” said Bob Becker, CEO of City Park. On October 16, 2010, the sculpture will be unveiled and City Park is planning a great event to celebrate it’s newest installation.
When Storyland opens to the public (11 a.m., $3 per person) children will be delighted not only with the new sculpture but also by a number of established storytellers who will be reading from Ms. Salley’s books. Storytellers include Gloria Pushker, Donald Lewis, Adella Gautier, Chakula cha Jua, and Kalpana Saxena. The readings will take place at the Castle within Storyland and will start at 11:15 a.m.
Also on hand will be Janet Stevens, Caldecott Honor winner and the illustrator of all of Ms. Salley’s Epossumondas books. Based upon a generous donation of Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Books, Ms. Stevens will be autographing and giving away (while supplies last) copies of Ms. Salley’s books from the Epossumondas series. Copies of a CD of Ms. Salley reading the Epossumondas stories will also be given away to children attending the event.
“We grew up with our Mom reading to us constantly, including most of the stories and fairy tales depicted by the Storyland sculptures, so we could think of no better place to honor her than a place where she would be surrounded by the characters from Children’s Literature which she loved so dearly” said Genevieve Athens, Ms. Salley’s daughter and the driving force behind this great Memorial to Coleen Salley.
About Coleen Cole Salley
Coleen Cole Salley
August 7, 1929-September 16, 2008
Coleen Cole Salley was a Professor for over 30 years at the University of New Orleans and retired as Distinguished Professor of Children’s Literature. She was the winner of several awards for distinguished professional accomplishments, notably the Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher of the Year in 1972, the Distinguished Faculty Award, L.S.U. Alumni Association in 1983, and the Essae M. Culver Society Award, Louisiana Library Association in 1989.
Ms. Salley toured the world, spreading her joie de vivre as an envoy of reading and the oral tradition. She made presentations in Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Egypt, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada and most of the United States. She performed as a storyteller at hundreds of schools, libraries and festivals including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. She appeared as a speaker at numerous conferences and conducted in-service workshops for teachers, librarians and, sometimes, parents.
Her broadcast appearances included a Visa commercial in which she starred as the Cajun storyteller at Maple Street Bookstore, Uptown New Orleans, and was broadcast nationally during 1991. She entertained the animation departments at Disney Studios and P.I.X.A.R Films.
The character of Mama Odie, in the animated movie The Princess and the Frog was created with her in mind.
At the young age of 73, Ms. Salley published her first children's book, "Who's That Tripping Over My Bridge" (illustrated by Amy Dixon, Pelican Publishing) and has 4 more titles to her credit "Epossumondas", "Why Epossumondas Has No Hair On His Tail" and “Epossumondas Saves the Day” and, published posthumously, “Eppossumdas Plays Possum” (all illustrated by Janet Stevens, Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt Publishing).
Ms. Salley was a French Quarter resident where she entertained countless friends and relatives. Her favorite holiday was Christmas in which she would erect seven Christmas trees decorated with ornaments collected from her many travels around the world. Her condominium was on the Holiday French Quarter Walking Tour on several occasions.
Beginning in 1974, Ms. Salley became a Mardi Gras attraction, reigning as Queen over her zany Krewe of Coleen's walking parade. In 2004, Ms. Salley reigned as Queen of Krewe Du Vieux.
After Coleen’s death in 2008, the University of Southern Mississippi has established the Coleen Salley Endowment Fund to honor Coleen for the many contributions she made for their annual Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival. The endowment fund is to promote the art of storytelling during the annual book festival.
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