Celebrate Through Heartsongs (Hardcover)

by Mattie J. T. Stepanek (Author), Jerry Lewis (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Mattie J.T. Stepanek is an award-winning poet whose struggle with a rare form of muscular dystrophy has touched the lives of people nationwide. Celebrate Through Heartsongs, his fourth inspiring collection of poetry, features works written between the ages of three and eleven, and continues to spread Mattie's message of universal hope, peace, courage, and love. Fully illustrated by the poet, the collection will appeal to people of all ages, religions, and beliefs.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 73 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (August 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786869453
• ISBN-13: 978-0786869459
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #389,645 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Stars are Shining in Your Heart Tonight, September 11, 2003

By	Mark Ebert (Lancaster OH) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mattie Stepanek's poetry leaves some people wondering how a child could express his thoughts and feelings with such style and grace, and yet as I read through the pages I find myself understanding exactly what he means, and remembering my own special words for entities when I was a child. Mattie is sparked with the grace all of us are born with, but few continue to hold. He exhibits real intelligence, not by calculating or giving us a technological advancement, not by teaching us how to manage our money or how to avoid shelling it out to the IRS. Mattie's intelligence is of the highest variety--the understanding that Love is Law and that the only things of value in this world are the eternal souls--fellow human beings made in the Creator's Image--that we meet and hopefully commune with (rather in a sandbox or by a fireplace) every day of our lives.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Celebrate Through Heartsongs, January 2, 2003

By A Customer

The simplicity of Mattie's poetry is its power. His thoughts are deep and well expressed for one of his age. I have been reading his poetry for a while now and find that his words make me smile, make me cry, and most all of all - make me think. If all of our children had the thoughts and goals of this young man, the world would bloom into a much nicer place.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mattie - May you rest in peace. Some angels will envy you., July 7, 2004

By	P. Foley "PFoley" (Eire) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'd never heard of Mattie until I tuned into Larry King one night during June 2004 to watch his show. The show was dedicated to Mattie after his untimely death from muscular dystrophy. All I can say is that I was both moved and inspired. Hearing Mattie (the show was a re-run of his 2002 appearance) read his poetry was just amazing. He saw things in ways that only a child could see. Maybe as we grow up, we look at the world differently, but his vision of the world through his poetry was refreshing and inspirational.
Being a screenwriter, I am always looking for inspiration. I have a young female character that I had developed only so far. It appears Mattie was the missing piece. It seems I was "meant" to watch that show, to take something from it. I will now complete that character by moulding some of Mattie's ideals and traits into that character.

Mattie, in your short life, you achieved more than I think I have in my 28 years on this Earth. I am a dreamer and much of my time has been wasted dreaming. Your illness was was your weakness, but your strenght showed how weak I am. Time is precious and you made the most of your time on this Earth.

With your poetry, you will have the last word. Hopefully we can all take something from your words, that are so simple, but are formed in such an awe-inspiring way. The world is complicated right now. But simple is always best. And you were the best. God Bless.