Heidi

by John Escott (Adaptation), Johanna Spyri

Heidi lives with her grandfather high in the mountains in Switzerland. Her aunt Dete arrives to take Heidi to the city. Heidi likes living with Clara, her new friend, and she learns many things. But she wants to go back to her Grandfather and the mountains. What can she do? A charming story especially recommended for younger learners.

Genres: Classics, Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

Published January 22, 2001

About the author

John Escott started by writing children's books and comic scripts, but now writes and adapts books for students of all ages. He especially enjoys writing crime and mystery thrillers, and is a member of the British Crime Writers Association.

With Oxford University Press John has published London for the Oxford Bookworms Factfile series; Agatha Christie, Woman of Mystery, Star Reporter, Girl on a Motorbike, The Fly and Other Horror Stories, and The Scarlet Letter for the Oxford Bookworms Library series; The Magician, Time for a Robbery, Star for a day, Tomorrow's Girl, and The Man with Three NAMEs for the Hotshot Puzzles series; and A Pretty Face for the Dominoes series.

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heidi was the first book I read as a child, I was dyslexic and really struggled with reading. This is the book that made me the reader I am today. I discovered that every book was a doorway to hidden lands and moments in history. Written 130 years ago. Heidi is as relevant today as it was when I read it forty years ago. its a powerful story, about a happy child who brings happiness to everyone around her.

This is definitely one of the very greatest books ever written, its timeless and one that readers of all ages will enjoy.

[Vicky Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Worlds in a New Light

Heidi's Years of Learning and Travel, originally titled Heidi's Lehr- und Wanderjahre, is a fresh old heartwarming story of life in the Swiss Alps. But, for all the nature that is so much a part of the story, there is much more beneath the surface. It is at once the story of love and redemption, wandering and restoration, isolation and friendliness. The tale is almost 150 years old, and most of us first read it from a translation. Here, I had the joy of reading it from this large original German beautifully illustrated hardback edition, and will never forget the richness of the language. As the quote below says (in German then English) of little Heidi learning to read in German (like me):

"...sichtlich selbst mit dem größten Erstaunen und mit einem wachsenden Eifer in die neue Welt eindringend, die ihm aufgegangen war da ihm nun mit einem Mal aus den schwarzen Buchstaben Menschen und Dinge entgegentraten, an Lebendigkeit gewannen und zu herabewegenden Geschichten wurden."

"...visibly penetrating the new world that had opened up to her with the greatest astonishment and growing zeal, since all of a sudden people and things appeared out of the black letters, came to life, and became heartwarming stories."

The name Heidi means Heathland or Heather in German, so Heidi grows up at one with the mountain top pastures, along with her friend Peter, the goatherder and all the goats, and her Grandfather and Peter's Grandmother. Then sad circumstances remove Heidi far away. But, if you've read the story you already know there will be a happy ending.

"So verging kein Tag mehr, an dem das Kind nicht fünf- und sechsmal sagte: Großvater, jetzt muss ich gewiss gehen, die Großmutter wartet ja immer auf mich."

"Not a day went by when the child didn't say five or six times: 'Grandfather, now I must go, grandmother is always waiting for me.'"

Unfortunately, much is lost in translation. All of the similes are sliced out, and the metaphors are often misunderstood. The rest is condensed to a tight concise remainder. I will share below two different examples of first the German, then a literal translation done by me, and then the common English translation presented in the English copy books. As can be seen, there is so much beauty removed from the author's extravagant descriptions of the world on the mountaintop. And, however you choose to read Heidi, it is never too late or too early to read it again.

*Two sample quotations follow: (German/my literal translation/ typical English Copy)

"Am andern Morgen kam wieder die helle Sonne, und dann kamen der Peter und die Geißen, und wieder zogen sie alle miteinander zu der Weide hinauf,"

"The next morning the bright sun came again, and then Peter and the goats came, and again they all ran up to the pasture together,"

Next morning Peter came again with his goats, and Heidi went up to the pasture with them.

"Aber anziehend war für das Heidi an solchen Windtagen vor allem das Wogen und Rauschen in den drei alten Tannen hinter der Hütte. Da musste es immer von Zeit zu Zeit hinlaufen, von allem anderen weg, was es auch sein mochte, denn so schön und wunderbar war gar nichts wie dieses tiefe, geheimnisvolle Tosen in den Wipfeln da droben; da stand Heidi unten und lauschte hinauf und konnte niemals genug bekommen, zu sehen und zu hören, wie das wehte und wogte und rauschte in den Bäumen mit großer Macht. Jetzt gab die Sonne nicht mehr heiß wie im Sommer, und Heidi suchte seine Strümpfe und Schuhe hervor und auch den Rock, denn nun wurde es immer frischer, und wenn Heidi unter den Tannen stand. wurde es durchgeblasen wie ein dünnes Blättlein, aber es lief doch immer wieder hin und konnte nicht in der Hütte bleiben, wenn es das Windes wehen vernahm."

"But what attracted Heidi on windy days like this was the swaying and rustling in the three old fir trees behind the hut. She always had to run there from time to time, away from everything else, whatever it was, for there was nothing so beautiful and wondrous as that deep, mysterious roaring in the tree-tops up there; there Heidi stood underneath and listened and could never get enough of seeing and hearing how it was blowing and waving and rustling in the trees with great power. Now the sun wasn't as hot as it was in summer, and Heidi looked for her stockings and shoes and also her skirt, because now it was getting always cooler, and when Heidi was standing under the fir trees, she was blown through like a thin leaf, but she kept running back and couldn't stay in the hut when she heard the wind blowing."

When the wind would howl through the fir-trees on those stormy days, Heidi would run out to the grove, thrilled and happy by the wondrous roaring in the branches. The sun had lost its vigor, and the child had to put on her shoes and stockings and her little dress.

[Vivienne N Wright! · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an amazing story full of 'friendship and hope'.It is one of my favourite books,I could read it over and over and not get bored 5 stars!

[Saya Nakata · Rating 4 out of 5]

1.level2 Penguin

2.5/9=20 5/10=10 5/12=25 5/13=25

3.Heidi, Swiws, Peter, Grandfather, Clala, Grandmother, Frankfurt

4.a)The grass was very green and there were mountain flowers everywhere.The sun was warm, but there was snow on the top of the mountains.

b)I like this passage because I can imagine the wonderful natural view of Swiss. I want to go there and see the view and run there like Heidi.

5. This is the story of a girl who named Heidi. Heidi lives with her grandfather in Swiss because her parents dead. She is lively girl, so she always goes out with her friend Peter and goat. Living of Swiss looks freedom and comfortable and delightful. I want to live with Heidi in Swiss. I have watched it on TV. Therefore I could understand the story. My favotite character is Heidi because she is an innocent child. If you read this, you would be happy(^^)

[Yumi Matsue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book since I was child.
when I read this, I always think I want to go alm.
But I had never read this book in English.
First time I thought this book in English is difficult for me.
But this level suit me.
so I could fun to read.
I like Heidi in this story.
Because she is very lively.
so seeing Heidi, I was fun.
And I like scene which Heidi could go to alm.
Heidi prefered Alm to Town.
Heidi loved nature of Alm, people in Alm and animals in alm.
So when she stayed in town, she always thought she wanted to go back home.
Therefore she walked around at night.
So she could go back to home.
When she could go back to home, I was happy.
When I read this book, I also always think the meal looks so yummy at alm.
So I always think I want to eat this!!
So I love this book!

[Nanae Sugimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

1: Penguin level2
2: 5/10 20mins 5/19 20mins 5/20 60mins
3: Alm-Opa, Heidi, Dorfli,Goat-Peter, Clara, wheelchair, mountain
4: 'Nothing in the world is as good as our milk!' This is first time to read the phrase of 'Nothing in the world' . I learned it school but I've never read it, so I could learn! And I could understand how great for Heidi memories of mountain.
5: I knew story of this book, but I was excited to read this book! Heidi always thought about other people, especially Peter's grandma. She always answered I want something for grandma. She was so nice and pure.

[✧Riho✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

1,Penguin level 2
2,5/26 30min 5/27 60min
3,Heide,Clara,mountain,Peter,Alm,country,goat
4,Heidi is the innocent and kind girl. Heidi was surrounded by nature and spent happy time with her ground father of Alm-Opa. Alm-Opa doesn't like human. but since Heide came to his house, he is willing to take care of others under the influence of Heidi.
5,I like this story, because Heidi is very cute!! When I read the story, I feel so happy. I want to live in surrounded by nature,and kind people, after reading.

[Ana Aguerrea Alzualde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro infantil muy entrañable.

Heidi es la niña perfecta. El abuelo evoluciona de una forma muy agradable. Pedro tiene unos arrebatos curiosos. La abuela de Pedro es una anciana que con poco se contenta.

En fin, que nos encontramos ante unos personajes muy bien ideados, unas descripciones del paisaje muy evocadoras y un argumento lleno de bondad.

[Erika Ando · Rating 5 out of 5]

1, HEIDI; PENGUIN; level 2
2, 87 minutes
3, Alm girl grandfather mountain goats Frankfurt wheelchair
4, Which do you like the better the mountain or the sea?
I like the mountain the better because it is cool and the view from the top of the mountain is very beautiful, but I don't like insects.
5, I was very impressed this story. The most impressed point was that Clara could stand up. Heidi was very cute and nice girl.

[Kayo Nakagaki]

1. Penguin reader level 2

2. 6/1 40 minutes 6/3 50minutes

3. mountain, groundfather, groundmother, goats, trees, milk, reading

4.a Clara said ” I can do it. I'm walking.”
b Clara couldn't be walking. But she can do it by Heidi and Peter's helping. It was surpirsed and impressed for me.

5. Heidi is very strong girl. Because she wanted to come back home in Alm. But she didn't talk about that to anyone. Maybe she was very lonely, but she put up with that.

[Rio Shimizu · Rating 4 out of 5]

1. Penguin/level2
2. 04/28=80minuites
3. Alm-Opa, grandfather, mountain, goat, Frankfurt, wheelchair, walk
4. a. I can do it, Heidi! I'm walking!
b. I like this passage because the scene is thatClara became able to walk.
5. Before I read this book, I didn't know how story clearly Heidi is. So I was surprised at a character of grandfather. I thought that grandfather is kind for everyone, but it was wrong. Anyway, this story became my heart warm.

[Ryota Kato]

1.penguin / level2
2.80min
3.Alm-Opa, grandfather, mountain, goat, Flankfurt, wheelchair, walk
4.a, I can do it, Heidi! I'm walking.
b, I was glad because Clara able to walk.
5. I've never read this book before, so I didn't know about this story. But , I knew the scene that Clara able to walk, so I was amazed.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beim Kauf war nicht klar, dass das eine gekürzte Fassung ist, daher war dann beim Lesen doch eine gewisse Enttäuschung da, weil Charaktere und Handlung wenig entwickelt, sondern eben zusammengefasst wurden. Ich muss es erst mit dem Original vergleichen, um zu wissen ob das an der Zusammenfassung oder der Geschichte selbst liegt.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good, classic book that I've always enjoyed reading. I've seen the movie also, and it's okay, but the book is far better. Heidi is such a sweet girl! And grandpa, okay . . .

[Adidja Musaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

What i learned from this book is i learned how it feels not having a father nor a mother. I liked this book, it was good.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

So adorable! I downloaded this book from librivox.org and loved listening to it! It made me wish I had goats so I could name them Schwanli and Baerli!

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a child when I was ill for several weeks. It was a great escape in my quarantined situation!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book very much!

[Jenice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this classic tale of Heidi growing up with grandfather in the Alps.