Author Details

Bring Eric Ode to Your School!

Eric Ode is an award-winning singer, songwriter, poet, and entertainer from Washington state. A former elementary teacher, he tours schools, festivals, libraries, and churches weaving high-energy music into his lessons about the writing process and the tools of poetry. As the author of Tall Tales of the Wild West (And a Few Short Ones)—the first major children's collection of sidesplitting, knee-slapping cowboy poetry and songs—Eric engages children in his delightful shows and workshops.

Home: Bonney Lake, WA

Travels to: Eric travels anywhere he’s invited

Eric is the author of: Tall Tales of the Wild West

Poems appear in: I Hope I Don't Strike Out!, I've Been Burping in the Classroom, Miles of Smiles, Rolling in the Aisles, If Kids Ruled the School, Oh My Darling, Porcupine, My Teacher's in Detention, Dinner with Dracula, and Dinosaur Poems (Scholastic UK).

Rates for Schools INSIDE Washington State (Seattle/Tacoma area)

45-Minute Assembly: $470
Two Assemblies (same day): $550
One-Day Visit: $690*
Two-Day Visit: $1,280*
One-Week Visit: $3,300*
Evening Event: $185 (available only in conjunction with a school visit/other programs scheduled on the same day)

*Full-day visits can include large group assembly programs, workshops, classroom visits, book signings...YOU decide! (A small mileage fee may be requested for schools more than two hours outside of the Tacoma area.)

Rates for Schools OUTSIDE Washington State

One-Day Visit: $875 plus travel and other expenses*
Two-day visit: $1,550 plus travel and other expenses*
One-week visit: $3,900 plus travel and other expenses*
Evening Event: $250 (available only in conjunction with a school visit/other programs scheduled on the same day)

*SPECIAL OUT-OF-STATE RATES: Team up with neighboring schools to receive discounted rates! Not only can you share travel and accommodation expenses, but back-to-back days at neighboring schools receive the same discounted rate as multiple days scheduled at the same school.

Click here to get started on planning your visit!

Biography

Eric Ode (pronounced Oh-dee) is an award-winning children's singer, songwriter, poet, and entertainer. He was an elementary teacher for twelve years before he hit the road to share his love of music and poetry with schools, community festivals, libraries, and education conferences. A widely published poet, Eric is the author of Tall Tales of the Wild West (And a Few Short Ones)--the first major collection of cowboy poetry for kids! An accomplished children's singer, his music has been heard on children's radio across the United States. He has released five albums and a video of original music for children. His latest CD, "I Love My Shoes," won a 2005 National Parenting Publications Honors Award.

Click here to read an interview with Eric Ode.

Event Description

Children's poet and Parents' Choice Award-winner Eric Ode puts a musical spin to his school visits. With poems published by Meadowbrook Press, various children's magazines, and dozens upon dozens of songs at-the-ready, Eric opens the door to the poetry-writing process in a fun and highly interactive way.

Using plenty of props and costumes and, of course, lots of music, Eric introduces concepts such as prewriting, word choice, rhyme scheme, alliteration, and meter. Large group assemblies are often followed by smaller group workshop where students have the opportunity to expand on earlier presented themes, write independently or as a group, learn a new song or two, ask questions, and share their writing...There are loads of possibilities!

When you call or e-mail us, be sure to ask us about the following special programs:

1. Get Back in the Saddle: Rounding up the writing process with cowboy poetry and music.
2. Creating Songs and Poems: Music Assemblies and Workshops for the Elementary Grades
3. Writing Workshops
4. Multiple-Day Residencies

Eric’s newest school program is his Songwriting Workshop:

When the day's schedule allows for at least 45-minute workshop sessions, Eric will use a chunk of that time to write a short song with your students (yup, it can be done!). As a group, Eric will quickly record the song with your students, and after the visit Eric will mail your school a copy of the day's songs on a CD along with typed lyrics sheets. It’s great fun!

Sample Poem

I’ll Teach My Dog to Read

I'll teach my dog to read.
I'll teach my dog to write.
He'll multiply in record speed.
He'll learn to be polite.
I'll teach my dog the golden rule,
and he'll be so well-bred,
next year I'll send my dog to school,
and I'll stay home instead.

Click here to get started on planning your visit!

Testimonials

"Having Eric here was a wonderful gift for the students!! I was very impressed with how respectfully he spoke to each and every child. I absolutely would have him back next year."
—Marilyn Brennan, 4-H After School Program Teacher, Evergreen Elementary, WSU Extension Mason County, Shelton, WA

"Thank you once again for a delightful day. The halls are a buzz with excitement about yesterday. It is great to see such school wide enthusiasm. We rarely have common activities that build a sense of school community. What a bonus to an already meaningful experience!"
—Debbie Woltring, Reading Specialist and Author Visit Coordinator, Lowell Elementary, Everett, WA

"Eric brings smiles to the faces of adults as well as to children with his genuine excitement and enthusiasm for poetry and song. He exhibits professionalism while working with teachers and staff, and creates a personalized visit for students of any age. What a special opportunity it was to have him at our school!"
—Mary Falvey, 2nd Grade Teacher/Author Visit Coordinator, Harding Elementary School, Hammond, IN

"Our staff, our kids, and our parents absolutely LOVED Eric. He was wonderful and really did a fantastic job working with our kids. He was absolutely delightful, and he had a great disposition with everyone! I highly recommend you look into his website and learn more about him. You won't be disappointed!!"
—Carolyn Milian, Media Specialist, Lakeside Elementary, Pembroke Pines, FL

"What a day! I enjoyed your lessons and entertaining as much as the students. So many people came up to me today to tell me how calm and great your demeanor is. Thank you for being a professional and having such great plans. You have wonderful classroom management. I appreciate how you care about kids listening and learning. Your objectives come through clear, and I love that kids learned and were entertained. I look forward to working with you again."
—Denelle Davis, Media Specialist, Rose Valley Elementary, Kelso, WA

"I couldn't recommend Eric any higher. He had excellent rapport with the children."
—Wayne Mendro, Music Teacher, Elk Ridge Elementary School, Buckley, WA

"We recently were fortunate enough to have Eric Ode visit our school. He presented our students and staff with a wonderful writing/singing/teaching assembly at Ness Elementary School. The students were highly entertained, and they took skills he taught them and created their own poems and songs. It is so encouraging to see kids get excited about learning! His method of teaching through music and poetry captivated the students. They were very much 'into' his presentation. His enthusiasm was contagious and the students were very excited and involved in his presentation. We will definitely invite him back to Ness! The students truly enjoyed him and what he had to teach them. Learning is fun with Eric Ode!"
—Gayle Van Matre, Principal, Arthur Ness Elementary, Spokane, WA

"I strongly recommend Eric for a school assembly. His music will bring smiles and sunshine to everyone!"
—Joanne Demarinis, Vice Principal, St. Philomena School, Seattle, WA

"You get an A+!"
—Larry Joecks, Principal, New Hope Christian School, Auburn, WA

"You gave all of us—youngsters and adults alike—a wonderful morning of music and fun! Everyone had such a good time. You have a wonderful way with kids!"
—Margaret Martin, Children's Librarian, Mercer Island Public Library, Mercer Island, WA

"Thank you for the wonderful family literacy night presentation. You did a fabulous job of engaging a wide range of ages, including adults, in the appreciation of lyrical writing. Your humor, energy and warmth made a lasting impression on the participants."
—Kathy Peterson, WA Reading Corp. Coordinator, Crestwood Elem., Covington, WA

"Eric's positive attitude and love of music and writing were energetically reflected in the high quality of the assembly and workshops. Woven through the catchy tunes and banter with the audience were rhyming strategies and creative ideas for writing. Not only is Eric an accomplished musician but also an exceptional teacher. The staff and students alike were humming the songs and talking about the ideas even after Eric left! There are presenters who because of their commitment to literacy and students must be considered outstanding...Eric Ode is one of them!"
—Victoria Hopper, Principal, Southwood Elem, Enumclaw, WA

"Thank you for a great performance! You kept our students and staff captivated and involved throughout the fast paced forty-five minute assembly. Your humor and love for the writing process got the kids excited to write. You are a natural with students, and they loved having you share your talent with them! We had FUN and look forward to you coming to visit us again!"
—Margot Hightower, Principal, Enterprise Elementary, Federal Way, WA

"Adults and students alike raved about Eric's presentations. It was fun to watch him share with the kids. He made learning about writing fun and was very inspiring."
—Joie Ganley, Longview Elementary School, Moses Lake, WA

“It was a pleasure to meet and work with Eric. He was professional, entertaining, and a wonderful teacher as well. Students, families and faculty were impressed with his performances and learned new information! We are passing his name onto our colleagues.”
—Susan Fish, Literacy Coach, Carriage Crest Elem, Renton, WA

“Eric was outstanding in his presentation and performance to students and staff. His music and poetry were exceptionally energetic and entertaining. Students were captivated with his songwriting workshops, which were very positive and educational. His rapport with students and adults is exceptional! I would highly recommend Eric for a school assembly.”
—Linda Johnson, Community Resource Coordinator, Larson Heights Elementary School, Moses Lake, WA

If you’re interested in booking an event with Eric Ode, please fill out the Speaker Visit Query form or contact our Author Appearance Manager at 800-338-2232, ext. 105, or admin@authorsinschools.com. We look forward to working with you.