When You Smile

Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH -- School Library Journal, 8/12/2008

When You Smile. CD. approx. 38 min. Deep Rooted Music. 2008. $14.50 (+ $1.50 s/h).

PreS-Gr 3–Children’s poet/songwriter Eric Ode has assembled another winner—a collection of 10 original songs, a traditional tune, and three poems. Ode’s sense of humor is on display with tunes such as “Poor Planet Pluto” (an upbeat rock tune about Pluto’s recent demotion), “Legendary Larry” (an easy listening number about an average guy), “This Song Has No Elephants” (a Latino-flavored song listing many animals, but no elephants), “Worms” (a bluesy celebration of worms), and “Talent Show Superstars” (a rock ‘n roll introduction to the members of the band, who couldn’t perform for one reason or other in the talent show, leaving only the lead singer with his tambourine). Ode collaborates with Bill Shontz on “When you Smile,” an easy listening tune about friendship that features Shontz on vocals and flute. Closing the recording is an upbeat version of the traditional “Froggy Went A-Courtin’.”   Cleverly arranged, Froggy starts out a cappella and percussion on the first verse, adding an instrument in each succeeding verse until the full band plays the final verse. Ode’s poems include “The Soggy Sneaker Parade” (complete with sound effects), “I Could Have Been the Farmer” (about the disappointments of being in the school play), and “Loretta Lost a Tooth at Lunch.” Ode’s uncomplicated voicing and tunes beg for listeners to sing along. A welcome addition to the performer’s body of work.