I Hope You Dance [Hardcover]

Mark D. Sanders (Author), Tia Sillers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2000

Named the CMA song of the year, I Hope You Dance is a challenge to make the most out of life: "And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance."

This beautiful gift book by the Nashville team that wrote the song includes a CD with an acoustic version recorded especially for this book by Lee Ann Womack. This is the perfect gift not only for fans of Lee Ann Womack, but for a new graduate, for someone that needs encouragement, or for anyone who needs or wants to participate in the dance of life.

"If you can figure out a way to keep the energy and gumption and fire alive, you'll always stay young. And where there's youth, there's hope... where there's hope, there's wonder... where there's wonder, there's faith... where there's faith, there's chance... where's there chance, there's love ...where there's love, there's music... and dancing. So in my heart of hearts, I hope you dance."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558538445
• ISBN-13: 978-1558538443
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Giving a Lifetime of Encouragement!, June 17, 2001

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 110,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: I Hope You Dance (Hardcover)

As Ms. Lee Ann Womack says in the introduction while referring to her children, "If they understand the meaning of this lyric when they're grown, I'll have done my job as their mother."

This book is a multimedia set which includes a CD of the song (sung by Ms. Womack), a set of the lyrics, a book that expands on each line of the lyrics with more thoughts, and beautiful photographs to set an encouraging mood.

The book opens with a gift inscription page to help the recipient remember who gave the book and why, and ends with an encouragement to reread the book or to call the giver for support. "No, it's not the end. It's the Beginning."

If somehow you've missed the song (which I doubt), here are a few lines:

"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder . . ."

"Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens . . ."

"Promise me you'll give faith a chance . . ."

"And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance . . . ."

As you can see, the song is a life-affirming one that encourages engagement rather than licking one's wounds.

Here's how the book connects the donor and recipient:

"If tomorrow you wake up feeling

unoriginal

or

faithless

or

tired of this world

please

pick up this book and start back at page

ONE.

(Or just call me.)"

Many people will see this book as an obvious gift for a high school or a college graduation. Although less obvious, I think the book is a wonderful choice as a gift for a birthday or when you see a young person feeling a little blue. Young people should also consider giving it to friends as a symbol of connection.

The song and the book are excellent for making the world seem limitless and exciting again. Reconnected to those moments when we all used to like to jump into the puddles, we are rejuvenated.

After you have read this book many times, I suspect that you will get new meaning from it if you pick another metaphor to add to the one of dancing rather than sitting out. What else do you like to do? Do you like to race the wind? Do you like to launch kites towards the heavens?

Remember that the journey is more important than the destination!

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Hope You Dance - so do I!, March 25, 2001

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Hope You Dance (Hardcover)

This song sung by Lee Ann Womack is set to a book & CD with lyrics & additional inspirational texts & photographs. This is my first review of a book inspired by a song & I recommend it to anybody wanting the perfect gift.

I Hope You Dance is filled with words of wonder & thoughtful photos. The song touched my heart when I first heard it, reminding me how much I liked to dance - when I'm glad as much as when I sorry. For both youngsters & oldsters & everybody in between, I Hope You Dance, is a soulful song, kindly given & beautifully presented.

Promise me you'll give I Hope You Dance a chance - it's a perfect gift for graduation, for somebody about to set out for fields afar, for anybody who loves to love for in the giving, you will have song, love & laughter in your heart. Do check out my full review.

102 of 111 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!, April 27, 2001

By 

Sandra D. Peters "Seagull Books" (Prince Edward Island, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Hope You Dance (Hardcover)

This little book and CD are inspirational, deeply touching and heart-warming. They will reach out to your soul, your spirit and bring out the best in you. The song is no stranger to music lovers; it captivates and is so true to life, it leaves the reader with the feeling the song must have been written just for them. The book contains some beautiful photos and a poignant message. This would make a perfect, all-occasion gift for that very special person in your life - lover, family, friend, or yourself. Be good to you and pamper yourself, you deserve it! It is a memorable treasure that can be kept and cherished for many years to come, and I do, indeed... "hope you dance."