Genre: Anthology, inspirational, spiritual, humanity, fantasy (fables, fairy tales, myths), poetry for general audience
ISBN: 1-4116-1858-0
Trade paperback
223 pages, 6"x9"
Available through Ingram and from Amazon.com (and their international sites) and BN.com
Reviews by Malcolm R. Campbell, Campbell Editorial Services
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.
And
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.
"Dance with Your Heart", invites you into Shirley Cheng's journey of thoughts and words. She will take you through colors, feelings, visions, senses and lessons in life. You will share some of the author's thoughts through her stories of frogs, cats, stars, goddess's, fish and turtles. You will be enlightened by her poems of never discovered lands, clouds, flickers of hope, passing storms, memories, wishes, colors of rainbows and more.
Reading," Dance with Your Heart", will do more than fill your heart with dances. It will reach deep inside of you and awaken your most inner passion while also renewing your respect and love for nature's life.
The stories in this book are kept short and written with impeccable talent and imagination. The poems are light hearted, refreshingly lyrical and a true enjoyment to read. "Dance with Your Heart", reminds its readers of the simplest lessons in life, such as believing in oneself, ones inner beauty and also self-worth.
Womensselfesteem.com highly recommends, "Dance with Your Heart" to every type of reader. It is a true gem to read, one to be very much appreciated.
Thank You Shirley Cheng for sharing a bit of your wonderful mind with us!
Review by BOOKS2MENTION MAGAZINE
Dance With Your Heart, Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells, is a moving collection of short stories and verse. Illustrated with such detail that readers will easily envision the settings of each story and poem.
Shirley Cheng brilliantly conveys messages of hope, love and inspiration in this thought provoking work of literature. It is beautifully written, offering deep reflection on life from various perspectives. Each page is filled with wonderful life lessons that are expressed with naturalness, simplicity and profound wisdom.
This remarkable book will take readers on a magical journey discovering unknown lands with wonderment and enjoyment.
Review by Dr. Alan Gettis
"Dance With Your Heart"is a wonderful collection of poetry and short stories that celebrate life while gently sharing the wisdom of Shirley Cheng. Her personal journey as cited in the 'About The Author' Section is worth the price of the book by itself. She exemplifies the final stanza of one my favorite poems titled 'Make It A Promise':
Let the love be lit
Take that giant leap
Love cannot be kept aside
Promise to love with your whole soul
That seems to capture the essence of both Shirley Cheng and "Dance With Your Heart."
Review by Rebecca Johnson, The Rebecca Review
Imaginative and original...
"The exquisite, vast blackness stretched endlessly across the celestial heavens; a blackness that would penetrate anyone's soul who was to take in its darkness. But if one looked very carefully, one could suddenly see a single spark forming amidst the caliginous atmosphere." ~pg. 63
Shirley Cheng presents poetry and creative original stories as an expression of her life's experience, dreams and at times stunning observations of life's complexity. Stories of dandelions, rainbows, gods and goddesses and oceans all explore creative explanations for natural phenomena. In "Seeking the Truth" she explores inner and outer beauty and then in "Fiery Passion" she writes beautifully about dances of fire.
In "We Should Have Listened!" Shirley Cheng shows an advanced understanding of human nature and consequence:
A heavenly garden, You gave us
To be in with You forever
Yet, it was not enough
We should have listened
The poetry and myths alternate throughout the book, creating a nice contrast between magical imaginings and portraits of life and love. I enjoy the descriptions in the stories that seem to reflect a purity of soul and may mirror an inner world that serves as a playful freeing experience where anything is possible and goddesses paint images into life.
"Being a goddess, everything she painted came to life..."
Children will enjoy the "Funny Animal Poem" and many of the stories could be read to children. Shirley Cheng also writes about ghosts in a story you might want to read on a dark night when the wind is howling around the house.
The poem I loved the most was "Things I Wish For:"
"I want to be loved, never against, always for
Where the truth is never untold
Sentiments with meanings that stretch everlasting
Words are gentle, sweet, and kind
Not a harsh tone can be heard
Memories refreshing as cool, running streams"
Reading Dance with Your Heart is a soul cleansing experience and explores the dreams, imaginings and longings of a beautiful soul.
Review by Sylvie Deckers from Euro-Reviews
Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells really is a book that you can call one of a kind. The stories are quick reads, beautifully written using colorful language and on top of that; are filled with wisdom. Each story and poem has a lesson to tell and it's amazing how inspirational they are.
Shirley Cheng is very creative in her mythical stories and although I'm normally not so into this mythical genre; there where plenty of stories that I loved reading. One of my favorites is without a doubt the story of "The Self-Seeking Man", which is about a rich old man who is afraid to lose his gold. He seems to identify the gold with himself... Or another good story "The Greedy Cat"; what seems to be an innocent story about a cat that goes hunting, contains an important message at the end.
And then there are the poems... For the romantic soul that I am, I really looked forward to reading them. They enrich you; you start thinking about the wonders that life brings us. Things we mostly take for granted. The poem that touched me the most is "A humble gift"; it's a poem about love and most importantly, giving love. "Flickers of Hope" is another well written poem that teaches us the lesson of not giving up hope because hope is what humans live for...
Shirley Cheng is good for being such a young author She has proven her talent with Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells. She teaches us some valuable lessons with her mythical stories and her poetry. Like I said before, this is a book that is a quick read, but also an easy read. Possibly for all ages, although I think that the adults can learn the most out of it!
Review by William Phenn for Readers Views
Shirley Cheng is a brilliant young Author. She has managed to combine a very enchanting series of Poetry and Prose into one delectable volume. An
entertaining and imaginative book for the whole family.
Beginning with "Spectrum Unity", a most compelling story of the Goddesses of color and how they added color to the world. To such sad tales as, "Trapped in Panic", the story of a turtle who losses its common sense. There is the "Funny Animal Poem", that will not only teach kids the alphabet, but animal names too. The stories are compelling from first page to last. Presented with an imaginative flair that will keep the readers attention.
"Dance With Your Heart" will be an enjoyable read for all. Some stories do have sad endings, but then not all fantasy has a happy ending. The book has its share of these so a caution to parents with very young children. Read the story yourself, first, then decide if it is fitting for your children. "Think Before Leaping" is one such tale about a Frog, who later
gets eaten.
Shirley Cheng, the versatile Author of this interesting volume, is a miracle in herself. Stricken with severe Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of eleven months, she has accomplished more by her mid twenties, than most of us have in our lifetime. Ms. Cheng lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen and still continued to write. She has had many trials and
tribulations in life and thanks to her mother Juliet, has managed to overcome these obstacles.
I highly recommend, "Dance with Your Heart" to everyone who enjoys good wholesome writing. If you like Walt Disney, you will love, "Dance with Your Heart".
Review by Christina Francine for Reviewers Bookwatch on Midwest Book Review
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.
Review by Anne K. Edwards for Mystery Fiction Voice in the Dark
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.
Review by Sherry Russell, author
Dance with Your Heart is a combination of unfolding poetic expression and tales of the mysteries of life. Ms. Cheng shares her experiences and beliefs about the complexity of nature, life and inspiration.
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.
Enjoyable Read .... Recommended
Review by Molly Martin for the Compulsive Reader
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. 'Fiery Passion' is a love story with a twist, 'Trapped in Panic,' is a poignant read 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.
Review by Wilma Frana from Word Museum
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.
Review by Tara Rogan from Round Table Reviews
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.
Review by Michelle Dunn, author, consultant
Dance with your Heart: Tales & Poems that the Heart Tells by Shirley Cheng is a simple to read book of fantasy short stories and poems, that is a perfect read for any age. My favorite is how the rainbow came to be. In each story Cheng shares her insights, emotions and thoughts with the reader. A book that will make you stop and think.
Review by Swamy Swarna for Book Pleasures, India
Dance with Your Heart is Shirley Cheng's (see www.shirleycheng.com) collection of short stories and poems, some of them written when she was in school.
Some of the stories and poems were published in local press and won awards. While I could not appreciate her poems much (because I am not much of a poetry
fan), I did enjoy reading her stories, which show her very vivid imagination.
The True Leader is about the true traits of a great leader, including kindness and courage, willingness to sacrifice oneself for the sake of others. A doe
is portrayed as teaching the apparent leader lion, a few lessons in real leadership.
Fancella, the Fire Goddess is a fanciful tale about why a fire is hot, which apparently was not initially so. Interesting to read.
Smell the Roses is a heart-warming story about the transformation of a man by a girl dying of cancer.
There are many more stories, most of them good to read, with some useful moral.
Shirley writes in a fluid style, though the language gets a bit flowery at times. Those who like to escape into a world of fantasy for a few hours by reading
the stories will like the book.
The book is well printed with an easy-to-read font. It will be a good buy for children and parents who like their children to read some good stories. It
will also be a good addition to libraries and schools.
Review by Shirley Roe from AllBooksReviews.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.
Children will delight in: Funny Animal Poem
A is the adder that is slithering up a ladder
B is the baboon that is looking at the moon
C is the crane that has a good brain
D is the dingo that sings Jingle Bells……….
The poetry also has a serious side in: O, Please Guide Us
Our mighty God, our loving God
I see no peace in this world
I see not much love
Hatred and wars are ever growing, expanding
Our God, guide us to the right path……..
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.
