Heidi: An Illustrated Edition

By Johanna Spyri

Heidi is a young orphan sent to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. At odds with his community, Heidi’s grandfather has been living in seclusion for years and, at first, resents her arrival in his life. But it does not take long for Heidi to crack his rough exterior, and soon they are living a happy life along with Heidi’s best friend, Peter. But when her strict aunt decides to send her away again, Heidi becomes determined to return to her idyllic life with her grandfather.

As one of the best-selling children’s classics of all time, Heidi has been adapted for the screen numerous times, including the famous 1937 film starring Shirley Temple. Heidiland remains an important tourist destination in author Johanna Spyri’s native Switzerland, and the success of the book lead to two sequels, Heidi Grows Up, and Heidi’s Children.

HarperPerennial Classics brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperPerennial Classics collection to build your digital library.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jan 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781443432962

Johanna Spyri

Johanna Spyri was born in a small village called Hirzel, southeast of Zurich, Switzerland, on June 12, 1827, as the daughter of a country doctor. She went to school and was tutored at home, then studied languages and piano in Zürich. In 1852 she married lawyer Bernhard Spyri (1821-1884) and they had a son, Bernard (1855-1884). In 1871 Spyri started to write stories to raise money for refugees from the Franco-Prussian war, and her first full length story, Heidi, was published in 1881. She wrote many other stories and though some were successful, none of them matched Heidi for popularity or longevity. She died in Zurich on July 7, 1901.

Book preview

heidi_cover_resized.jpg

HEIDI

An Illustrated Edition

Joanna Spyri

HarperPerennialClassicsLogo.jpg

CONTENTS

Part I—Heidi’s Years of Learning and Travel

Chapter I—Going Up to the Alm-Uncle

Chapter II—With the Grandfather

Chapter III—On the Pasture

Chapter IV—In the Grandmother’s Hut

Chapter V—Two Visitors

Chapter VI—A New Chapter with New Things

Chapter VII—Miss Rottenmeier Has an Uncomfortable Day

Chapter VIII—Great Disturbances in the Sesemann House

Chapter IX—The Master of the House Hears of Strange Doings

Chapter X—A Grandmama

Chapter XI—Heidi Gains in Some Respects and Loses in Others

Chapter XII—The Sesemann House Is Haunted

Chapter XIII—Up the Alp on a Summer Evening

Chapter XIV—On Sunday When the Church Bells Ring

Part II—Heidi Makes Use of Her Experience

Chapter XV—Preparations for a Journey

Chapter XVI—A Guest on the Alp

Chapter XVII—Retaliation

Chapter XVIII—Winter in the Village

Chapter XIX—Winter Still Continues

Chapter XX—News From Distant Friends

Chapter XXI—On Further Events on the Alp

Chapter XXII—Something Unexpected Happens

Chapter XXIII—Parting to Meet Again

About the Series

About the Author

Copyright

About the Publisher

spyri_img001.jpg

Part I

Heidi’s Years of Learning and Travel

Chapter I

Going Up to the Alm-Uncle

The little old town of Mayenfeld is charmingly situated. From it a footpath leads through green, well-wooded stretches to the foot of the heights which look down imposingly upon the valley. Where the footpath begins to go steeply and abruptly up the Alps, the heath, with its short grass and pungent herbage, at once sends out its soft perfume to meet the wayfarer.

One bright sunny morning in June, a tall, vigorous maiden of the mountain region climbed up the narrow path, leading a little girl by the hand. The youngster’s cheeks were in such a glow that it showed even through her sun-browned skin. Small wonder though! for in spite of the heat, the little one, who was scarcely five years old, was bundled up as if she had to brave a bitter frost. Her shape was difficult to distinguish, for she wore two dresses, if not three, and around her shoulders a large red cotton shawl. With her feet encased in heavy hob-nailed boots, this hot and shapeless little person toiled up the mountain.

The pair had been climbing for about an hour when they reached a hamlet half-way up the great mountain named the Alm. This hamlet was called Im Dörfli or The Little Village. It was the elder girl’s home town, and therefore she was greeted from nearly every house; people called to her from windows and doors, and very often from the road. But, answering questions and calls as she went by, the girl did not loiter on her way and only stood still when she reached the end of the hamlet. There a few cottages lay scattered about, from the furthest of which a voice called out to her through an open door: Deta, please wait one moment! I am coming with you, if you are going further up.

When the girl stood still to wait, the child instantly let go her hand and promptly sat down on the ground.

Are you tired, Heidi? Deta asked the child.

No, but hot, she replied.

We shall be up in an hour, if you take big steps and climb with all your little might! Thus the elder girl tried to encourage her small companion.

A stout, pleasant-looking woman stepped out of the house and joined the two. The child had risen and wandered behind the old acquaintances, who immediately started gossiping about their friends in the neighborhood and the people of the hamlet generally.

Where are you taking the child, Deta? asked the newcomer. Is she the child your sister left?

Yes, Deta assured her; I am taking her up to the Alm-Uncle and there I want her to remain.

You can’t really mean to take her there Deta. You must have lost your senses, to go to him. I am sure the old man will show you the door and won’t even listen to what you say.

Why not? As he’s her grandfather, it is high time he should do something for the child. I have taken care of her until this summer and now a good place has been offered to me. The child shall not hinder me from accepting it, I tell you that!

"It would not be so hard, if he were like other mortals. But you know him yourself. How could he look after a child, especially such a little one? She’ll never get along with him, I am sure of that!—But tell me of your prospects."

I am going to a splendid house in Frankfurt. Last summer some people went off to the baths and I took care of their rooms. As they got to like me, they wanted to take me along, but I could not leave. They have come back now and have persuaded me to go with them.

I am glad I am not the child! exclaimed Barbara with a shudder. Nobody knows anything about the old man’s life up there. He doesn’t speak to a living soul, and from one year’s end to the other he keeps away from church. People get out of his way when he appears once in a twelve-month down here among us. We all fear him and he is really just like a heathen or an old Indian, with those thick grey eyebrows and that huge uncanny beard. When he wanders along the road with his twisted stick we are all afraid to meet him alone.

That is not my fault, said Deta stubbornly. He won’t do her any harm; and if he should, he is responsible, not I.

I wish I knew what weighs on the old man’s conscience. Why are his eyes so fierce and why does he live up there all alone? Nobody ever sees him and we hear many strange things about him. Didn’t your sister tell you anything, Deta?

Of course she did, but I shall hold my tongue. He would make me pay for it if I didn’t.

Barbara had long been anxious to know something about the old uncle and why he lived apart from everybody. Nobody had a good word for him, and when people talked about him, they did not speak openly but as if they were afraid. She could not even explain to herself why he was called the Alm-Uncle. He could not possibly be the uncle of all the people in the village, but since everybody spoke of him so, she did the same. Barbara, who had only lived in the village since her marriage, was glad to get some information from her friend. Deta had been bred there, but since her mother’s death had gone away to earn her livelihood.

She confidentially seized Deta’s arm and said: I wish you would tell me the truth about him, Deta; you know it all—people only gossip. Tell me, what has happened to the old man to turn everybody against him so? Did he always hate his fellow-creatures?

I cannot tell you whether he always did, and that for a very good reason. He being sixty years old, and I only twenty-six, you can’t expect me to give you an account of his early youth. But if you’ll promise to keep it to yourself and not set all the people in Prätiggan talking, I can tell you a good deal. My mother and he both came from Domleschg.

How can you talk like that, Deta? replied Barbara in an offended tone. People do not gossip much in Prätiggan, and I always can keep things to myself, if I have to. You won’t repent of having told me, I assure you!

All right, but keep your word! said Deta warningly. Then she looked around to see that the child was not so close to them as to overhear what might be said; but the little girl was nowhere to be seen. While the two young women had talked at such a rate, they had not noticed her absence; quite a while must have elapsed since the little girl had given up following her companions. Deta, standing still, looked about her everywhere, but no one was on the path, which—except for a few curves—was visible as far down as the village.

There she is! Can’t you see her there? exclaimed Barbara, pointing to a spot a good distance from the path. She is climbing up with the goatherd Peter and his goats. I wonder why he is so late today. I must say, it suits us well enough; he can look after the child while you tell me everything without being interrupted.

It will be very easy for Peter to watch her, remarked Deta; she is bright for her five years and keeps her eyes wide open. I have often noticed that and I am glad for her, for it will be useful with the uncle. He has nothing left in the whole wide world, but his cottage and two goats!

Did he once have more? asked Barbara.

I should say so. He was heir to a large farm in Domleschg. But setting up to play the fine gentleman, he soon lost everything with drink and play. His parents died with grief and he himself disappeared from these parts. After many years he came back with a half-grown boy, his son, Tobias, that was his name, became a carpenter and turned out to be a quiet, steady fellow. Many strange rumors went round about the uncle and I think that was why he left Domleschg for Dörfli. We acknowledged relationship, my mother’s grandmother being a cousin of his. We called him uncle, and because we are related on my father’s side to nearly all the people in the hamlet they too all called him uncle. He was named ‘Alm-Uncle’ when he moved up to the Alm.

But what happened to Tobias? asked Barbara eagerly.

Just wait. How can I tell you everything at once? exclaimed Deta. "Tobias was an apprentice in Mels, and when he was made master, he came home to the village and married my sister Adelheid. They always had been fond of each other and they lived very happily as man and wife. But their joy was short. Two years afterwards, when Tobias was helping to build a house, a beam fell on him and killed him. Adelheid was thrown into a violent fever with grief and fright, and never recovered from it. She had never been strong and had often suffered from queer spells, when we did not know whether she was awake or asleep. Only a few weeks after Tobias’s death they buried poor Adelheid.

"People said that heaven had punished the uncle for his misdeeds. After the death of his son he never spoke to a living soul. Suddenly he moved up to the Alp, to live there at enmity with God and man.

My mother and I took Adelheid’s little year-old baby, Heidi, to live with us. When I went to Ragatz I took her with me; but in the spring the family whose work I had done last year came from Frankfurt and resolved to take me to their town-house. I am very glad to get such a good position.

And now you want to hand over the child to this terrible old man. I really wonder how you can do it, Deta! said Barbara with reproach in her voice.

It seems to me I have really done enough for the child. I do not know where else to take her, as she is too young to come with me to Frankfurt. By the way, Barbara, where are you going? We are half-way up the Alm already.

Deta shook hands with her companion and stood still while Barbara approached the tiny, dark-brown mountain hut, which lay in a hollow a few steps away from the path.

Situated half-way up the Alm, the cottage was luckily protected from the mighty winds. Had it been exposed to the tempests, it would have been a doubtful habitation in the state of decay it was in. Even as it was, the doors and windows rattled and the old rafters shook when the south wind swept the mountain side. If the hut had stood on the Alm top, the wind would have blown it down the valley without much ado when the storm season came.

Here lived Peter the goatherd, a boy eleven years old, who daily fetched the goats from the village and drove them up the mountain to the short and luscious grasses of the pastures. Peter raced down in the evening with the light-footed little goats. When he whistled sharply through his fingers, every owner would come and get his or her goat. These owners were mostly small boys and girls and, as the goats were friendly, they did not fear them. That was the only time Peter spent with other children, the rest of the day the animals were his sole companions. At home lived his mother and an old blind grandmother, but he only spent enough time in the hut to swallow his bread and milk for breakfast and the same repast for supper. After that he sought his bed to sleep. He always left early in the morning and at night he came home late, so that he could be with his friends as long as possible. His father had met with an accident some years ago; he also had been called Peter the goatherd. His mother, whose name was Brigida, was called Goatherd Peter’s wife and his blind grandmother was called by young and old from many miles about just grandmother.

Deta waited about ten minutes to see if the children were coming up behind with the goats. As she could not find them anywhere, she climbed up a little higher to get a better view down the valley from there, and peered from side to side with marks of great impatience on her countenance.

The children in the meantime were ascending slowly in a zigzag way, Peter always knowing where to find all sorts of good grazing places for his goats where they could nibble. Thus they strayed from side to side. The poor little girl had followed the boy only with the greatest effort and she was panting in her heavy clothes. She was so hot and uncomfortable that she only climbed by exerting all her strength. She did not say anything but looked enviously at Peter, who jumped about so easily in his light trousers and bare feet. She envied even more the goats that climbed over bushes, stones, and steep inclines with their slender legs. Suddenly sitting down on the ground the child swiftly took off her shoes and stockings. Getting up she undid the heavy shawl and the two little dresses. Out she slipped without more ado and stood up in only a light petticoat. In sheer delight at the relief, she threw up her dimpled arms, that were bare up to her short sleeves. To save the trouble of carrying them, her aunt had dressed her in her Sunday clothes

Reviews for Heidi

[starbox_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After a recent trip to Switzerland, was motivated to re-read after about 50 years. - and it's amazing how much comes back to me. Even the names of the goats, the nasty Fraulein Rottenmeier...Reading it as an adult, it IS a tad saccharine and religious ; but it's not aimed at adults, and I loved it as a child.When orphaned Heidi is dumped on a curmudgeonly grandfather, living apart from the rest of the village on a mountain, the neighbours foresee her having a tough time. But the old man gradually unbends, and Heidi soon adores the outdoors life, helping goatherd Peter with the animals and visiting his blind grandmother. But then Heidi's aunt whisks back into their life, having found the child a 'situation' as companion to a well-to-do wheelchair-bound girl in Frankfurt...Much homesickness, a taking on board of the precepts of Christianity...and a successful ending for all.

[karenleefield · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Heidi by Johanna Spyri was written around 1880 and for this reason the wording is very old fashion and stiff to read. Yet, knowing the era the story is set in suits the formal writing. I found it easy to accept and even to ignore.Heidi is about a young girl who lives in the Swiss mountains. Everyone who meets her falls under her spell as she is a girl of innocence and loves helping people. Her loving nature and giving heart result in people depending on her more than they should.The story is well known by most people, as it was to me. What I didn’t know was that the book is heavily religious orientated. These days, a writer is warned to be subtle in the messages they wish to share with their audience. The messages within Heidi were not subtle! The messages are clear and strong, sometimes even a bit overpowering, but I didn't allow that to ruin the story."Give with a willing heart.""Remember God in all that you do and the reward will be greater than your wish."I’m glad I read the ebook for no other reason than the fact that I can now say I’ve read it. It was good to revisit a childhood story and discover new things within it.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved "Heidi" as a little girl and having just revisited it, it was still a sweet read. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the beautiful Swiss Alps, which I was lucky enough to visit last year.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Digital audiobook performed by Johanna Ward. 4.5**** This classic of children’s literature tells the story of Heidi, a young orphan girl who lives with her gruff grandfather up on a Swiss mountain. She befriends Peter, the goatherd, and becomes beloved by all the villagers. I’d seen the Shirley Temple movie about a million times when I was a child and absolutely loved it, but I had never read the book. It’s a wonderful story about a child who has lost much but relishes all that she has. She’s intelligent, open-minded, hind-hearted and has a great generosity of spirit. She comes across several mean-spirited (and downright nasty) people, but her cheerfulness wins over many people and she eventually prevails. I listened to the audio performed by Johanna Ward. She does a marvelous job, with clear diction and a pace that isn’t too fast for younger listeners to absorb.

[jillrhudy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You can taste this novel. You can breathe it. You can feel the embraces of the grandfather and Peter's mother. Your own legs tingle as Clara's come to life and she begins to walk. Heidi may be just a shade on the corny side (and the movies are even worse), but Spyri's classic is uniquely alive, incredibly sensuous. You are genuinely thrilled when Heidi gets back to the mountains, genuinely moved when Clara walks and the reclusive grandfather is brought back into his community. A beauty.

[deckla_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this when I was a child and reread it recently. I hadn't realized the Christian sensibility; it turns out many of the books I read as a child had this perspective. But Spyri excels at describing the mountain and the natural settings, exquisitely.

[lg503-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heidi moved to her grandfather to live with him on the mountains. She met Peter and became good friends. Her grandfather does not want Heidi to send her to school. After a couple of weeks being there, her aunt takes her to Frankfurt to live with Clara a girl in a wheelchair that needed a companion. Heidi really liked Clara they also became good friends. Heidi learned how to read while with Clara. But Heidi always wanted to go back to the mountains, and became sick for missing it so much. At the end she goes back to the mountains with her grandfather. Later, Clara comes to visit her and end up staying with Heidi. Clara was so happy there, that she end ups walking.

[bkohl_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Schmaltzy, yes, but also endearing. Who doesn't want to run from yucky Frankfurt into the Alps and live on goat milk?

[linyarai · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A great classic.

[ladycato · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I owned this book as a child and I read it over and over again. I don't think I've read it since I was about 11. My main memory is how evocatively it described the Alps. It truly made me want to go there (which I have yet to do, but some day...!). Oddly enough, I have never felt the need to go to Frankfurt.Heidi remains a fast, pleasant read, full of gorgeous scenery. I didn't recall the heavy Christian message, though that's certainly in keeping with the time period--right along with the 'heal yourself through nature' theme. I think looking at the book in the historical context is pretty important, as otherwise the book comes across as trite and predictable with lots of stereotyped characters, though this is the book that established many major tropes.I actually saw the Shirley Temple movie based on the book recently. As a kid, I vastly preferred the book because it is more centered in nature and had a better ending, I thought (even 1930s Hollywood felt the need to end everything with a dramatic chase scene). The book gives Peter a lot more nuance with his learning disability, selfish inclinations, and guilt complex.

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars5-year old Heidi, an orphan, has been raised by her aunt since she was a baby, but now Heidi’s aunt feels that it’s time Heidi went to live with her grandfather on a mountain in the Swiss Alps. Heidi loves the mountain and the goats who belong to the goatherd neighbour, Peter. Heidi, later, is recruited to go to Frankfurt to be a companion to Clara, who is in a wheelchair. But, oh, she misses her mountain and her grandfather so much!I remember that I read this as a child, and I loved it! I didn’t remember much about it, except that Heidi lived with her grandfather on a mountain. I remembered nothing else (until the characters were introduced: oh, yeah – Peter the goatherd and Clara, the girl in a wheelchair!). I started off thinking I’d rate this read of it (an audio) 4 stars, I decided on 3.5 (good). I suspect it might have been better to read it, rather than listen; however, fond memories remain. I did enjoy the reminder of what actually happened in the book (although it does seem I missed bits and pieces, here and there – I suspect I wouldn’t have if I’d not listened to the audio).

[kimsalyers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

very good book

[imperfectcj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I knew this book had made an impact on my five-year-old when he asked to drink his milk from a bowl this morning, like Heidi. It wasn't goat's milk, but I'm not sure he's adventurous enough for that. Maybe if we were on the Alm.

This book has a similar theme as Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess, but the characters are even more perfect. I mean, everyone is a sweetheart, except for Fraulein Rottenmeier and Peter at times, and even their misbehaviors can be explained by personal weakness (fear and jealousy) so that we can forgive them. Of course, Heidi is never tried to the degree that Sara Crewe is, so maybe she'd be less sweet if really given a test, and who knows how she acted as a teenager (there would be an interesting book).

But what's funny is that while I normally can't stand stories with people who are ridiculously kind, I really, really enjoyed this one. It's just a heart-warming story, and I don't even care if it's totally unrealistic.

[leslie398 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heartwarming tale lived up to my memories. Narrator Marnie MacAdams did a good job except for the voice of Frau Rottenmeier, which I didn't like.

[jmlibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You can taste this novel. You can breathe it. You can feel the embraces of the grandfather and Peter's mother. Your own legs tingle as Clara's come to life and she begins to walk. Heidi may be just a shade on the corny side (and the movies are even worse), but Spyri's classic is uniquely alive, incredibly sensuous. You are genuinely thrilled when Heidi gets back to the mountains, genuinely moved when Clara walks and the reclusive grandfather is brought back into his community. A beauty.

[mirrani_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heidi is a book for those who want to become lost in another world. The story is full of happy endings and finding joy in frustrations and sorrows, but it is meant to be a very feel good kind of thing. This is a world where good mountain air cures everything, including the inability to walk. This is also exactly the way the story should be. Heidi is a classic for a very good reason and all children should experience it at least once in their lifetime.For me, the most memorable thing about the story, aside from all of the good that is done for others, are the pictures my mind was able to paint when reading the words. Heidi has always been a very visual experience for me, even when reading a copy that doesn't have illustrations, as my copy does. This is the kind of thing you can easily and honestly put before your mind and come up with a crisp, clear image that makes you want to stay in that place forever. I don't reread it often enough.

[wealhtheowwylfing · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read this book so often as a child that the covers fell off, the binding broke, and I lost about half the pages. Heidi is almost insufferable in her Merciful Christian Perfection--but only *almost*. There's a spark of fun to her, and I was absolutely enthralled by her simple, earthy lifestyle. As an urban kid in the 20th century, the idea that soft bread could be a luxury blew my mind (to the extent that twenty years later, Heidi's meals with Clara are still the main thing I remember about this book). Didn't much like the grandfather or the goats.

[thebookmagpie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book in a way I could never love Little Women or Anne of Green Gables, and I have no idea why. I think something about it just appealed to me. However, the sequel is actually BETTER.

[nadinec.keels · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

That was pleasant. I had a mind to read Heidi ever since I saw the 1993 Disney film with Noley Thornton as Heidi and Jason Robards as her grandfather. Wonderful movie I watched several times (much better than the 1937 version, I'd say), but I never got around to reading the book in childhood. I recently figured it wasn't too late, so I got my hands on a copy. Glad I did (though there's not much accurate about the long-haired girl standing next to a pond or lake or something, on the cover of my copy. Should be a short-haired curly top on a mountain!)I found I liked the overall pacing of the 1993 movie better than the book, which seemed to have a lag in the middle, but then I learned that the book was originally published as two works. Knowing the second half of the story was originally a sequel explains the pacing, and I was surprised and buoyed by the God-lessons present in the book. Reading it answered some questions I had as a child when I watched the film, namely: "What's supposed to happen to Heidi in a few years though, since her grandfather is old?" The book did have an end or two that could be described as loose, and though the next volume of Heidi's story was not written by Spyri, and I wouldn't call myself the hugest fan of writers writing continuations to other people's stories, I'm tempted to check out the next book to see what's what in it, since it seems to be a pretty accepted sequel.Again I say, pleasant reading. Definitely a book I'd recommend for children--and maybe even other adults who didn't get around to reading it earlier, like me.

[theeditrix · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very special book. I am so glad I finally read the unabridged version.

[rbeene-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A well written story about a sweet little girl and how she changes the people in her life.

[janeajones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My mother read Heidi to me when I was 5, and I reread it every year until I went to college.

[kate_schulte078 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book would be good to use to show another culture. Students will like this book because of how Heidi thinks of things that are out of the ordinary.

[cbilbo-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I remember reading this when I was in the 5th grade. At that time, I was too young to grasp the actual meaning that this book has behind it. Now re-reading this book, I am touched deaply by this book.

This childs book carries several big messages. 1.) God is to be thanked for what we have in life. That through prayer, we are able to speak to God and be blessed. 2.) It's important that we care for those who are not capable to care for themselves. 3.) Be kind to others.

This is such a wonderful book. Every young child should read this.

[kslade-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good story even if it's supposed to be for girls!

[bexaplex · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Schmaltzy, yes, but also endearing. Who doesn't want to run from yucky Frankfurt into the Alps and live on goat milk?

[cyoung23 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The big idea of Heidi focuses on caring for friends and family, and staying positive in life. Visually, the illustrations were a little plain. They did not capture my attention like other colorful illustrations have before. The third person point of view was a good choice for this story, because it allowed the audience to understand all of the characters emotions. The characters were very well developed in that I really felt close to them by the end of the story. I believe the author accomplished this by giving us background knowledge on each character. For example, telling about Klara’s condition and saying she needed a companion due to her impairment introduced her, a character who uses a wheelchair. Examples like this will help the reader feel more emotionally connected to characters. The author also does a good job at providing good context for the era this story takes place in by subtly talking about the contemporary issues of the time. Overall, I really enjoyed the sweet plot and characters of this story.

[bookworm12_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Heidi, aka The Mountains Aren’t Handicap Accessible, is the story of an orphaned 5-year-old who’s dropped at her recluse grandfather’s home in the Swiss mountains. Her sunny demeanor changes everyone around her. From her cranky grandpa to Peter the goat-herd to a blind elderly woman, she cheers up everyone she meets.She’s the picture of innocence and optimism. Her naïve view of the world encourages others and gives them hope. She’s a bit of a Pollyanna and finds her greatest satisfaction in doing things for others.Soon after moving to the mountains she’s sent off to Frankfurt, Germany to live as a companion to Klara, a rich girl who is confined to a wheelchair. She finds herself battling an overwhelming homesickness for her life in the mountains and detests city life.It’s a good story, but Heidi is just so sweet. That’s not a bad thing it just meant there wasn’t much to dig my teeth into. I think this would be a perfect book to read with kids, although it was much longer than I expected it to be (almost 300 pages).“How good it is that the dear Lord doesn’t give us what we pray so terribly hard for when He knows of something much better.”

[monica02-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heidi, by Johanna Spyri, is one of my favourite books. It is heartwarming to read about Heidi’s sweet personality and how she brightens the lives of her grandfather, Clara, and so many others. I can easily imagine Heidi’s adventures in my mind, and find Heidi a very memorable story.

[shanaqui_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My copy of Heidi is actually a hardback with beautiful illustrations. I loved this book. Probably very unrealistic, with an overly idyllic picture of the setting -- but lovely all the same.