Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells
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ISBN: 978-1-4116-1858-9
Publisher: Lulu.com
Rights Owner: Shirley Cheng (ShirleyCheng.com)
Copyright:
© 2004 By Shirley Cheng Standard Copyright License
Language: English
Country: United States
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Printed: 225 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, black and white interior ink Description:The tales and poems held between the pages of Dance with Your Heart are filled with inspirations, lessons, and magic. Most of the stories take no more than a few minutes to read, and yet they allow the reader to discover and visit worlds never before visited. Inch alongside a tiny snail as she goes through a journey of self-discovery in The Gift of Uniqueness, and learn that cooperation is the key to working successfully, yielding desirable fruits in the story, The Raging Sun and Rain. The poems range from thought-provoking to inspirational; their language is simple yet lyrical, and they are written with sincerity, clarity, and that rarest commodity: wisdom. Keywords:Listed in: |
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The enchanting tales and poems in this book dance on the page. They are well written and exuberant. With a gentle touch, they inspire and teach profound life lessons in the manner of mythic tales and fables. After stories such as "The Greedy Cat" and "The Dishonest Fox" bring a knowing smile to your face, they will delight your children and grandchildren through multiple readings.
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Each of these delicate, well-written little stories reads like a folk tale or a fable. They remind me of the stories my parents read to me when I was young, for they are filled with exuberant writing and exciting characters and a gentle life's lesson at the end. Cheng, a survivor of severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, spent the first eleven years of her life in wheelchairs, hospitals and pain. She lost her sight in the 10th grade. However, if these stories are a fair indicator of the author behind the words in this book--and I think that they are--Cheng sees quite well without her eyes and has a remarkable spirit.
Looking for a gentle read with purity of heart and soul? 'Dance with Your Heart' will humble and remind readers of their blessings. There are twenty-three short stories and thirty-four poems offering lessons, mindful thoughts, and whimsical tales and myths of magical once-upon-a-times. Many adults will recognize the lessons, but will appreciate the reminders. Provides great life-lesson profiles children can relate to. Perfect for those seeking quick, clear, and uncomplicated tales.
The author, young Shirley Cheng's personal story is amazing enough. She's a survivor of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed at eleven months old. She dealt with constant pain growing up, went in and out of hospitals, and lost her eyes sight when she was in tenth grade. She will soon be receiving eye-surgery, and hopes it will be successful, for she'd like to earn science doctorates at Harvard University. Through her extraordinary passion and strength she's conquered overwhelming obstacles. Among other things, she's authored three books by the age of twenty-one.
One of my favorite stories from this book is entitled, 'Smell the Roses.' It's about a doctor who learns a valuable lesson through an unexpected and surprising source. The ending brings the whole tale into perspective with a crystal clear lesson.
One of my favorite poems is entitled, 'Dance with Your Heart.' Ironically it's also the book's title. The poem's message brings to light that although life contains worries and pain, it is good to concentrate on and remember its delights too. The poem reminds readers to pay attention to their heart's desires, and to dance; to fly.
Cheng's graceful storytelling and poetry not only is a pleasure, but awe-inspiring, as her wisdom and understanding at such a young age is profound. Her resounding words are of encouragement and of good. She believes happiness begins in the heart and that readers should allow themselves the freedom to dance with their heart. A luminous read.
This collection of short stories and poetry will lift your spirit as you read. Filled with color and colorful imagery, bright and wonderful characters, you'll find yourself smiling as you read.
Some of the stories are reminiscent of the old fables we grew up with, such as the story about the cat who had a bird but wanted the larger one held by another cat reflected in the water. A very pleasant way to step back into our childhoods and relive a pleasant moment while building new memories of a new author's work.
Or perhaps they'll remind you of the evenings spent sitting by the fire listening to an elderly relative tell stories they'd learned in childhood. They might also bring back the lovely tales we remember our mothers reading to us about fairies and other creatures who dwell in the netherland of memory stirring fiction.
Talented Shirley Cheng's work is one of pleasant associative memories that you may want to read more than once. There is a lot more contained in this collection than just once-upon-a-time. Read and enjoy. I did.
Her poems and tales are in an honored pact with the living and breathing spirit. She seizes the details of the heart while bearing witness to her experiences.
Reviewed by Sherry Russell
Enjoyable Read .... Recommended
The Review
Dance With Your Heart Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells
A publication of poetry and prose wherein the table of contents offers a mix of titles such as 'Free the Magic,' 'One Petal Falls,' and 'The Greedy Cat' for reader endorsement and satisfaction. 'Mary Miller, the Elusive Lady,' is a whimsical, quixotic tale told on three pages. 'Be On Our Way' is a delicate verse composition of love. 'The Colors of the Rainbow' offer the reader an awareness for the colors of the rainbow together with the author's grasp of God's intention.
An assortment of succinct tales and verse Dance With Your Heart Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells has been assembled carefully by writer/poet Shirley Cheng. Cheng is a young woman who has faced well-nigh overwhelming personal misfortune from early childhood and has managed to grow stronger despite facing adversity that often causes those with less faith or determination to falter and give up.
Poetry interspersed with the short prose narratives includes: 'Wonders of Nature,' 'Memories,' and 'One Petal Falls,' as well as one I particularly enjoyed 'Life of Autumn and Winter,' with its description of fall leaves and winter snows. 'Love in the Air,' is a light, ethereal offering. 'The Sounds I Hear,' is an especially touching read, "I hear all this in my heart, which hears : My heart speaks and I listen, for I am deaf."
Fiction anecdotes are fanciful, quick reads filled with delicate prose, settings portrayed in vivid detail and entertaining characters. 'Firey Passion' is a love story with a twist, 'Trapped in Panic,' is a poignantread with a clear lesson to be learned, while 'The Gift of Uniqueness,' offers optimism in a narrative about creatures not often thought of except in a fleeting manner.
Dance With Your Heart is an agreeable mixture of verse composition and prose each meant to awaken the spirit, give rise to laughter and bliss and enlighten the reader a bit about life. While most of the anecdotes appear simple on the surface each also offers a message cleverly woven into the tale. Each of the works; reverie, illumination and exultation offered are a pleasure to read. Writer Cheng is an intriguing woman who has a grasp for what is important and sets about to get it all down on paper for everyone to enjoy.
Excellent choice for the home pleasure library, the home school curriculum as well as the public school classroom.
Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.
Reviewed by: molly martin
http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin
http://www.AuthorsDen.com/mjhollingshead
These short stories and poems are very interesting, sort of resembling mythology. One of them tells the story of how the rainbow came to be. They grab your attention and have you looking forward to the next one. This book would make a great gift, or a keeper to read over and over again.
Reviewed by Tara Rogan
It's impossible not to feel inspired and moved when reading DANCE WITH YOUR HEART - a collection of tales and poems by a young author by the name of Shirley Cheng. To say that this young woman has overcome adversity is a staggering understatement.
Cheng was diagnosed with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis before she reached her first birthday, and also lost her eyesight at seventeen. Nevertheless, she has never let that affect her goals or aspirations.
DANCE WITH YOUR HEART is a delightful mix of both poetry and prose, which are meant to stir the soul, produce laughter, and even teach us a thing or two about life. Most of the tales are simple on the outside, but evoke a moral that is
cleverly woven to make readers smile after each one. 'The Greedy Cat' is a distinctive story that reads like a fable, yet contains a message at the end that is both crafty and clever.
Each of these anecdotes imitates life and are exceedingly fun to read. The poems are also heartfelt, and many of them echo Cheng's life as well as the tribulations she has faced to get where she is now. All of these pieces have a positive spin, which is where we really see where Cheng's greatest strength truly comes from-- her attitude.
DANCE WITH YOUR HEART is a perfect read for any gender and at any age. Cheng shares her life and her dreams with the world, asking everyone to stop and smell the roses.
I think that the stories in this book take you into a world of fantasy that is so wonderful it lets you know how much can be seen whether you are sighted
or not. This young women sees more than a lot of people who are sighted. My children and I loved this book and Shirley. She is a beacon for anyone who
has ever been told you can't do that because you are handicapped
She has and still is making a liar out of them.
I feel blessed to have her literary works in my life. Love you Shirley keep on doing what you do.
Genre: Inspiration/Fantasy/Poetry
DANCE WITH YOUR HEART
Author: Shirley Cheng
http://www.shirleycheng.com
Tales of fantasy, inspiration and joy are presented in the short stories and poetry of Shirley Cheng, simply written, easily assimilated yet thought provoking. Each story provides a life lesson, from living without prejudice to cooperation; every page enriches the reader’s soul. The book will travel through the house from coffee table to child’s room providing daily inspiration for the weary and delightful bedtime tales for the young.
Author Shirley Cheng has experienced much pain and suffering in her young life. Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at eleven months, she struggled through the next eleven years until she attended her first day of school. She quickly achieved grade levels in only 180 days, telling the world that this was an extraordinary young lady. At age seventeen she lost her eyesight but after eye surgery hopes to earn a science doctorate from Harvard.
A small book for the whole family that will fulfill its promise and make you dance with your heart.
Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.
www.allbooksreviews.com www.allbooksreviews.ca
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