Heidi

About the Book

“Let us enjoy all the beautiful things that we can see, and not think about those that we cannot.” Orphaned at a very young age, the lively and intelligent Heidi is brought to her grandfather’s house in the Swiss Alps by her aunt. As the five-year-old girl quickly wins the heart of her grumpy grandfather and befriends the people around, they all become fond of her. But when she turns eight, Heidi is taken by her aunt to serve as a companion to Clara Sesemann, a wealthy, disabled girl. Heidi enlivens and charms her, but soon herself becomes homesick . What happens when Clara’s grandmother comes to visit her and befriends Heidi? What does fate have in store for Heidi and Clara? One of the finest works of Swiss literature, Johanna Spyri’s Heidi is listed among the bestselling books ever written. A classic work of children’s fiction, it has been adapted into numerous television series and motion pictures.

About the Author
Johanna Spyri was born in Hirzel, Switzerland, on 12 June 1827. She grew up in the Swizz Alps and spent most of her summers near Coire in the Grisons. The landscapes here provided a setting for her stories. A Note on Vrony’s Grave (1880) was her first story. This was followed by numerous other stories. Heidi, a novel she took only four weeks to complete, was first published in 1881. In this outstanding work of children’s fiction, the picturesque landscapes almost come alive. Heidi is regarded as one of the finest works of Swiss literature. Her other books include: The Story of Rico (1882); Gritli’s Children (1885); Veronica And Other Friends (1886); Cornelli (1892); and Moni the Goat-Boy (1897). Originally written in German, her works have been translated into English.