Watch the legendary storyteller perform
one of her books.

On September 16, 2008, the world lost a great ambassador for children's literature. Coleen Salley died at the age of 79 from complications of a rare brain disorder. Her friends and family gave her a befitting farewell with a Jazz Funeral in New Orleans attended by over 450 people. While we will miss her southern drawl and wit, she has left in her wake hundreds of people who love reading books, many authors and illustrators who she tirelessly promoted and librarians who remain dedicated to children's literature due to her influence. To quote Ms. Salley on her passion for children's literature:

"I don't want children to read just to perfect their reading. I want them to love books for the joy of it."

However, if you know Coleen you know that she would not permit this to be the end of her legacy! The University of Southern Mississippi has established the Coleen Salley Endowment Fund intended to fund and promote storytelling during the annual Book Festival, a festival that Coleen attended for almost 40 years. For more information about the endowment, please visit www.usm.edu/foundation or contact Leigh Corban-Todd, Development Officer at 601.266.5501, e-mail, leigh.todd@usm.edu.

In June 2008, Ms. Salley finished the work on her final Epossumondas tale called "Epossumondas Plays Possum". Published by Harcourt Children's Books/Houghton Mifflin Publishers, the final act of Epossumondas will be available in fall, 2009.

Ms. Salley's books live on. In June, Ms. Salley was able to finish the work on her final Epossumondas tale called "Epossumondas Plays Possum". As this website is being updated, the talented Janet Stevens is drawing her wonderful pictures that have helped Epossumondas and his antics come alive on paper. This book will be available in the Fall of 2009.

At the youthful age of 72, Mrs. Salley published her first children's book "Who's That Tripping Over My Bridge?" illustrated by Amy Dixon (Pelican Publishing). Shortly thereafter we were introduced to the hilarious character in the award winning book "Epossumondas", illustrated by Janet Stevens (Harcourt Inc.). Epossumondas tales continue to delight everyone in "Why Epossumondas Has No Hair On His Tail" and "Epossumondas Saves The Day."