Heidi (1881) is a children's novel written by Swiss author Johanna
Spyri. One of the best-selling books of all time, Heidi is not only a
defining work of Swiss literature, but a beloved masterpiece of
children's fiction. It was adapted into a 1937 film starring Shirley
Temple, and has since gone on to inspire numerous feature films,
television series, and animated works. It is especially popular in
Japan, serving as source material for the early hit anime series Heidi,
Girl of the Alps.
Heidi, a young orphan girl, is sent by her aunt to live with her
grandfather in the Swiss Alps. A reclusive man, he is known as the
Alm-Uncle by the townsfolk he avoids and disdains. Although initially
wary of Heidi's presence, he soon softens, learning to love the young
girl and to appreciate her inherent goodness and unusual intelligence.
Although she wants to go to school, he refuses on account of his
distrust of the town and its people. Despite this, Heidi befriends a
neighboring family--a young goatherd named Peter, his mother Brigitte,
and her elderly mother--who eventually accept her as one of their own.
When her aunt Dete returns to take her to Frankfurt, however, her
newfound life in the country is exchanged for one of service in the
city. There, she works as a companion for Clara, the crippled daughter
of a wealthy family. The two become fast friends, and in exchange for
her love and affection, Heidi is encouraged to learn reading and
writing, as well as to study the teachings of Christianity. She misses
the countryside, however, and longs to return to the Swiss Alps once
more. Beloved by readers around the world for well over a century,
Johanna Spyri's Heidi is a classic tale of faith and friendship with
lessons for children and adults alike.
With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript,
this edition of Johanna Spyri's Heidi is a classic of Swiss literature
and children's fiction reimagined for modern readers.
