Heidi: Adapted for Young Readers

by Johanna Spyri, Bob Blaisdell (Adapter), Thea Kliros (Illustrations)

Johanna Spyri’s beloved tale of a delightful Swiss miss has captivated generations of readers. Set in the towering Swiss Alps, this story “for children and those who love children” tells of a cheerful, 5-year-old orphan who is sent to live with her hermit-like grandfather in a small hut high in a mountain pasture.

Bursting with energy and an immense love of nature, Heidi proves to have remarkable, transforming powers over those people closest to Clara, a young lady from a wealthy German family, Peter, a goatherd, and Peter’s blind grandmother. Even Heidi’s pessimistic grandfather, the old Alm-Uncle, eventually accepts and enjoys the healing effects of Heidi’s innocence, sensitivity, and love.

Translated into many languages, Heidi has also captured the hearts of countless motion picture and television audiences with its heartwarming story of the joys and sorrows of childhood. This abridged version of the novel retains all the enchantment of the original edition and is sure to charm young readers today as much as it did when first published over a century ago.

Original Dover (1998) abridgment by Bob Blaisdell of a standard edition. 36 black-and-white illustrations by Thea Klitos. 96pp. 5 3/16 x 8 1/4. Paperbound.

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

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

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cleaned up and shortened version of Heidi .

Although the book does provide 80 pages instead of the normal 300+, the Dover adaptation does keep the main points of the story in place. As a result, readers will find this adaptation rather more familiar even though it has been heavily trimmed to make it more comfortable.

At the same time, the book has some black-and-white illustrations that beg readers with an artistic flair to mayhaps add their own colors if they should wish. Furthermore each included illustration has a caption so readers know exactly where it fits in.

The book does make for a great introduction read to the Classics, especially if your little one(s) may not be ready for a much longer read, or as a quick Classical read to readers of all ages who want to enjoy the book but have only limited time at their disposal.

[Mari - loves to read · Rating 4 out of 5]

You cannot help to fall in love with the mountains, Heidi and her grandfather.