What do you think?
Rate this book
Orca Echoes
Skye Above
Excellent Book
Paperback
First published November 1, 2014
11 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
164 books919 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 11, 2015
Skye has always had a passion for flying, after all both of her parents are pilots. On a family vacation to Costa Rica, Skye is amazed by all of the exotic birds and wildlife. She is even more excited by a series of surprises her parents have planned. Each gives Skye the opportunity to feel what it is like to fly. She is happy, excited and grateful.
This ORCA Echoes book is perfect for high/low readers. Skye's adventures will enthrall young readers. Readers will be introduces to activities like zip-lining, parasailing and snorkeling. Black and white illustrations enhance the story, but Skye’s one facial expression was a bit distracting. The structure and vocabulary are very accessible to a range of readers.
This ORCA Echoes book is perfect for high/low readers. Skye's adventures will enthrall young readers. Readers will be introduces to activities like zip-lining, parasailing and snorkeling. Black and white illustrations enhance the story, but Skye’s one facial expression was a bit distracting. The structure and vocabulary are very accessible to a range of readers.
June 10, 2015
Skye Above by Eric Walters
Summary - Skye has always had a passion for flying, after all both of her parents are pilots. One a family vacation to Costa Rica, Skye is amazed by all of the exotic birds and wildlife. She is even more excited by a series of surprises her parents have planned. Each gives Skye the opportunity to feel what it is like to fly. She is happy, excited and grateful.
Ages 7-9
This ORCA Echoes book is perfect for high/low readers. Skye's adventures will enthrall young readers. The structure and vocabulary are very accessible to a range of readers.
Rating 4 out of 5
Summary - Skye has always had a passion for flying, after all both of her parents are pilots. One a family vacation to Costa Rica, Skye is amazed by all of the exotic birds and wildlife. She is even more excited by a series of surprises her parents have planned. Each gives Skye the opportunity to feel what it is like to fly. She is happy, excited and grateful.
Ages 7-9
This ORCA Echoes book is perfect for high/low readers. Skye's adventures will enthrall young readers. The structure and vocabulary are very accessible to a range of readers.
Rating 4 out of 5
June 24, 2015
Skye is the young daughter of two pilots. She is aptly named as she desires to fly more than anything, but not as a pilot like her parents. Skye wants to soar with the birds. So when her parents take her on vacation to the rain forest she is ecstatic with each of their surprises that get her closer to actually flying than she ever dreamed possible. This is a cute and simple beginning chapter book that will be perfect for 1st and 2nd graders looking for a basic easy read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews