Heidi

by Johanna Spyri, Alice Carsey and Maria Louise Kirk (Illustrator), Elisabeth Stork (Translator)

An unabridged classic - with original colour illustrations. Heidi, the story of a free-spirited, loving child, will be a favourite among children who love mountains. "I would rather be with my grandfather in the Alps than anywhere on earth." - Heidi, in Heidi. "I want to go about like the light-footed goats." - Heidi, in Heidi. A unique children's classic, set in the pure air of the Alps. Within minutes of being dropped off high up in the Swiss Alps with her grandfather, whom she has just met, Heidi declares "I want to go about like the light-footed goats!" while the grumpy elderly man grudgingly mutters, "She's not lacking in intelligence." So begins the adventures of this cheerful five-year-old orphan, and the story of the power of a child's love to heal and transform those around her. Soon, however, Heidi is wrenched from this idyllic life and plunged into a job in the city and difficult challenges. Heidi, like Anne of Green Gables, is an unforgettable children's classic, and one of the very few from Switzerland. Heidi has delighted generations of children and those who read to them. This lavishly illustrated edition contains twenty-one large original colour illustrations as well as many smaller ones and delightful monochrome drawings. The translation, in clear pure English, designed to be read aloud, captures Johanna Spyri's delight in mountain scenes, the ways of children, and the pure air of the Alps. Features of this - Well-spaced generous 11-point font that will be a pleasure for children and adults to read. - 66 original illustrations, including 21 large colour illustrations.

148 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2025

About the author

Johanna Spyri was a Swiss author of children's stories, best known for Heidi. Born Johanna Louise Heusser in the rural area of Hirzel, Switzerland, as a child she spent several summers in the area around Chur in Graubünden, the setting she later would use in her novels.

Reviews

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Christian classics. One child brings out the goodness in all she meets and still there are lessons she learns along the way. I've read this book many times since I was a child. I never get tired of it.

[Sue-b-doo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This children's classic was just a beautiful story! I saw the movie when I was young, but Heidi's love shines out even more in the book. Her unconditional love mirrors God's love in so many ways! <3

[Leslie Bellissimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My father read me this book when I was a child and I decided to revisit it and I’m not disappointed! It has always been and will remain one of my favorite all-time stories.

[Lexie Hobbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank gosh for the audiobook. I didn’t realize this was not the same version i read in 7th grade and the full original Swedish version. Once i got thru that shock it wasn’t that bad.

[Eman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heidi is one of my favourite novels. I didn’t watch the cartoon in my childhood, but I wish I had. Anyway, I’m reading the novel with a child’s heart, and I’m enjoying it. It teaches many important things.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best translation/adaptation

I bought this Kindle edition because I was looking to reread a childhood favorite. This one was advertised as an unabridged edition in “pure, clear English.” The translation was, instead, clunky and I found myself wanting to read the original German and do my own translation even though my German isn’t very good.

The other thing I found bothersome was the (in my non-Christian adult eyes) the excessive amount of religious language. Was this in the original? My suspicions increased when I realized that the publisher was Benedictine Press, and Amazon rates it along with other Christian books for children.

Whether or not the religious tone bothers you, you can’t deny that the story of a little girl finding her hear home on the top of a mountain is glorious. The image of a five-year-old girl wearing all the clothes she owned to walk up the mountain to the Grandfather’s hut, and shedding these clothes along with her old life as she savors a simple meal of bread and toasted cheese and makes her bed in a hayloft have stuck with me since childhood.

[البندري · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic

[Ice pop · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the 1993 movie so i had to read it but i didnt realize it talks so much about god. I also havent seen the movie in like 15 years

[Jason Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful children'story of friendship and kindness.

The scenes and descriptions of the Alps will transport you to an idyllic time where Nature's beauty gives purpose and sense to life.