Sigh.... how I love this book. I'm sure I've said it a million times. This is the first book I've ever purchased. I was in the 1st grade and I bought it for like 30 cents at my school library. I was already an avid reader teehee. Anyways, over the years I re-read the book and continued to enjoy it. I decided that this month during the AYearathon Readathon I would pick this book up again because the theme was childhood favorites. I am surprised how much I remembered from the book from when I had last read it. That was over twenty years ago.

What changed in my reading this time around was, instead of reading the book with the eyes of a child sympathizing with another child, I was reading it as a mother sympathizing with another parent figure. It is such a different take on the book having the experience as I do. Let me explain. Heidi's parents die when she is a toddler and she is then left in the care of her Aunt and Grandmother. They both don't have a choice and of course raise her, but it's more out of obligation than love. When Heidi is 5 and the Grandmother is no longer living, the Aunt who is rather self absorbed, decides to drop the little girl off at her paternal Grandfather's. There is no advanced notice. The Aunt just shows up one day to a chuffed and confused old man's house and announces this is your Grandchild and I'm leaving. As a parent myself I was outraged. How could you be so unloving. She demonstrates no love, she's more of a caretaker to a pet. I did my due's here you go.

What I found wonderful is even though the Grandfather had not met his Granddaughter before, he was immediately taken by her inquisitive charm, her love for nature and the way she studied and learned by her own curiosity. She was loving and not spoiled and soon the Grandfather would have done anything for his Heidi.

As a child I loved this book because it was a heart warming story with a happy ending. Heidi was a good girl and I could see myself in her. Although I lived on an island and she a mountain I had the same love and curiosity she did. As a mother I still see myself in Heidi. She is empathetic and selfless. She is kind and caring. It's funny because I never remember her teaching Peter to read and yet she does at the age of 9 or 10. I've always been a little "bossy" when I was growing up being the oldest of all the grandchildren and I was like their momma hen, helping the little ones read books or play games and Heidi does it so well. Now as an adult I still do that. I am a teacher and so I still am sharing characteristics with little Heidi.

My final difference in adult reading this book is how much I felt for the Grandfather when Heidi was taken away. How hurt and angry he must have been. The town did nothing but gossip about the man. It's hard to know what goes on in people's own houses and people are so quick to judge small infractions in people's lives or things that people do when they are young. We all grow and mature (hopefully) and we learn the mistakes we've made in the past and do better in the future. This was Grandpa's way. He kept to himself because he knew the squawkers down in the village didn't like him, so good riddance. By the time he was raising Heidi they couldn't adjust their attitude or their ideas from past transgressions and believed him to be an awful Grandfather which he wasn't. When Heidi left it only verified their previous ideas. He was a terrible man and the girl was running away.

This book made me shed happy tears many times. I found Heidi's encounters with all the people in her life to be so genuine and open. Grandfather, Grandmother, Peter, Grandmamma, the Good Doctor, Klara and even Mr. Sesemann took to Heidi immediately. They couldn't think of being away from her. She was a ray of sunshine and a sense of hope and love. They knew if Heidi was near anything was possible. This book has such good morals and all the hymns and prayers to God were not preachy, but truth. If you believe in a higher power, if you have faith and let go and allow things to happen, what you seek will eventually find you.

Lovely lovely book. I own two copies of this book. My original from when I was 7, is a Watermill Classic and has a different translation than the one from the Puffin Bloom edition. The original I find better. The Swiss words are all there and it's not modernized in it's explanation. It's unabridged. The Puffin Bloom edition seems to be written in simpler words, it's more "modern". I found the name changes of the goats to be irksome for some reason. In the original Heidi's goats are little bear and little swan which I think are so sweet. It also matches their coat colors. In the Puffin edition they are Daisy and Dusky. WHY!?! They also change the Alm Uncle to Alp Uncle and Klara's name is spelled with a C instead. I don't know what or why things change in different translations, but I enjoyed the older version better. I will keep this edition because it is beautiful, but with any re-reads I'll dig up my coverless 1st grade edition.

If you haven't picked up this children's classic, you must. It is a very fast read and such a moving story.

This book was utterly charming and adorable! It's truly one of the sweetest and most wholesome stories I have ever read.

I've been a huge fan of "Heidi" since I was a young child, since my mother first introduced me to the fantastic Anime adaption from 1974. The show was one of my absolute favorites and its been dear to my heart ever since. Having watched the episodes over and over again throughout the years, I've become very familiar with the storyline, so nothing in this book was new or a surprise to me. But that's not a bad thing at all! It was still exciting to experience this tale in its original written form for the first time.

For a children's book, these characters are incredible well developed and versatile. All of them are amazing in their own way, and all of them contribute to the story. But Heidi, without a doubt, is one of the best and cutest characters I have ever encountered. She's just so nice and friendly, joyful and open-minded.
The plot is relatively simple, but it's executed in a way that makes it exciting and suspenseful for young and older readers alike.

I wish I would have read this sooner, while I was still a child, because I just know I would have adored it so much and it would have made a big impression on me. I think I could have learnt some valuable life lessons from it (for example, that good things take time or to find joy in little things). Of course the Anime also includes and teaches these values, but the book still goes a bit deeper and further with it.

Oh well, thankfully you're never too old to learn something! And now I'm at an age where I can say that I'm looking forward to reading this book to my future children some day, because I know 100% this Heidi will be in their collection.

"Lá em cima é que se está bem; é lá que a alma e o corpo podem encontrar a cura, e lá que os infelizes podem voltar a amar a existência!" Pág. 216

Uma deliciosa história que alegra e aquece o coração.

Repleto de descrições apelativas da natureza faz-nos almejar poder usufruir de um lugar idílico equivalente. Faz-nos querer correr e saltar, para depois espraiar esgotados nos tapetes verdes das montanhas e aspirar os perfumes envolventes.

Subentende-se ao longo da narrativa que as vidas mais simples serão certamente as mais salutares e revigorantes para todos aqueles que padecem de maleitas do corpo ou da mente. É neste meio que se aprende verdadeiramente a amar e a respeitar a vida, a liberdade e a própria humanidade.

Heidi, com a sua inocência e pureza conquista todos à sua passagem e a nós leitores, idem. Tal como uma flor, necessita de sol, de ar livre, da terra, da imensidão do céu, do vento a assobiar nas árvores. Toda ela irradia amor e felicidade que propaga por todos com quem priva.

Uma história que é um hino à natureza, à simplicidade e à bondade.

حسناً يا هايدي، أنا اليومَ أسعد مما أستحق.
أسعد مما كنتُ أتخيله ممكناً.
من الجيد أن أكون في سلامٍ مع الله ومع الأصدقاء.
كان الله كريماً معي عندما أرسلكِ إلى كوخي...

من منا لا يتذكر هايدي ذلك المسلسل الكارتوني القديم؛ هايدي تلك الطفلة ذاتَ الخمس سنوات عندما كُتبَ لها أن تعيش مع عجوزٍ غامضٍ يتجنبُ مخالطة الناس، وينسجون عنه الحكايات والقصص لانزوائه عنهم أعلى الجبل بعد أن تخلت عنها خالتها ديتي... لقد غيرت كل ما حولها بصفاء قلبها وبراءة مشاعرها...
أعادت الحياة لقلب الرجل العجوز، وجعلت بيتر وعائلته يشعرون بطعم الحياة.. ساهمت في شفاء كلارا وسيرها على أقدامها من جديد.
وحتى ذلك الطبيب العجوز الذي عالجها، كانت هي طبيبته بروحها الوقادة الممتلئة بشغف الحياة.
قصة قصيرة، تفور منها رائحة الإنسانية..
جميلة كاستراحة من القراءة بقراءتها.. ومستواها يصلحُ للأطفال القارئين أو المستمعين للقصص..

I know this book, like Little Women, gets a lot of flak for being overly moralizing. I can see where the criticism is coming from.

BUT. I disagree. I love the dialogues on faith and trusting God found in this children’s classic. It deals with real questions (Why does it feel like God won’t answer my prayers? Why does God allow pain? Etc.) and answers them in a simple but profound way, in the context of conversations between children, or children and adults. It shows our young readers that it is possible to ask those questions, and that there are choices to make for themselves. It shows out young readers that even as children, their faith matters. I think it’s done in such a sweet and beautiful way, and those conversations were some of my favorite parts of the book.

I also enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of scenery. Even my first grader, to whom I read this story aloud, enjoyed all the lovely mountain scenes.

5 ⭐️

Heidi is a novel written by Johanna Spyri. From the cover, it's clearly seen that this novel tells the story of a little girl. The little girl named Heidi. In this novel, the author clearly describes the setting of the atmosphere and place. The writer describes how the natural beauty of the mountain such as the color of the flowers, the mountain, the valley, the trees, and so on. This makes me always imagine that atmosphere and makes me want to go there. Reading this novel also makes me feel the sadness and pleasure experienced by this little girl named Heidi.

Heidi is a poor little girl. Her parents died when she is one year old. Then, she lives with her aunt named Dete for four years. When Heidi is five years old, Dete takes her to her grandfather named Alm-Uncle in Dorfli. At that time, Dete gets a good job in the city of Frankfurt. On the way to send Heidi, the residents in Dorfli warn Dete not to do that. The residents feel sorry for Heidi and believe that Heidi will not like living with Alm-Uncle. Alm-Uncle is a stubborn person. He lives alone in the mountain with his goats. He rarely goes down to residential areas. He also never talks to other residents. However, with no other choice, Date still left Heidi to live with Alm-Uncle.

Finally, Heidi lives with Alm-Uncle. With Heidi's kindness and innocence, Alm-Uncle loves Heidi and feels happy that Heidi is living with him. Alm-Uncle is very fond of Heidi and vice versa. Alm-Uncle and Heidi live happily. Alm-Uncle takes good care of Heidi. He makes a new bed, a new chair, a new dining table for Heidi. Every morning, Alm-Uncle makes breakfast for Heidi. As time went by, Heidi becomes friends with Peter, a shepherd boy. Every morning, Peter approaches Heidi and brings residents' goats including two goats belonging to Alm-Uncle to the meadows. They are herding goats together. They play cheerfully with the goats in the beautiful mountain. Heidi feels very happy with her life by living with Alm-Uncle, being friendly with Peter, and herding goats in the beautiful mountain.

One day, Dete invites Heidi to go with her to Frankfurt. Heidi does not want to leave her grandfather and refuses Dete's invitation. But finally, Heidi obeys Dete because Dete continues to persuade and force her. In Frankfurt, Heidi is tasked with accompanying and caring for Clara. Heidi is surprised to see Clara's condition at that time. Clara is a girl who cannot walk and just sits in a wheelchair. By seeing Clara's condition, Heidi intends to help Clara. Every day, Heidi accompanies Clara to do her activities such as eating, studying, and so on. Heidi's presence makes Clara happy. Clara's situation gradually improved. The girl who is moody looks more cheerful by the arrival of Heidi. Day after day they went through together. However, Heidi misses his grandfather so much. He also misses Peter and the goats. Heidi wants to back to Dorfli, but Dete refuses it. In short, at the mercy of Clara's father, Heidi returns to her grandfather's house. Alm-Uncle and Peter are very pleased to welcome Heidi.

Shortly after Heidi returns to her grandfather's house, Clara visits Heidi and stays a few days there. Clara's condition is much better. Now, she does not need to use her wheelchair. There, Heidi, Clara, and Peter herd the goats together to the mountain. Clara is very surprised to see the beauty of the mountain. They are very happy to meet and play together. However, Clara cannot live together with Heidi on the mountain forever. Clara is finally picked up by her family and returns to the city. It feels like Clara and Heidi do not want to separate, but it is indeed fate and must happen. In the end, Heidi lives happily with her grandfather and Clara lives happily with her family.

Heidi is a wonderful novel. Its simple story makes me feel interested to read it. Not only children who need to read this novel, I think even adults need to read this novel because there are so many messages we can get by reading this novel. This innocent little girl named Heidi teaches the readers that kindness, caring, and sincerity can make a big impact on the people around us. With the good things we do, other people can feel happy and forget their sadness. This story also gives the readers a message about working hard. Whatever difficulties we experience, if we want to try and work hard, everything will pass well. The most important message of this novel is about belief in God. God has given the best gift for us and we must grateful for that.

I love this inspiring novel because it is a heart touching story. All parts of this novel are the best. After you read this part of the novel, you will definitely want to read it over and over until it finally finishes on the last page. Read this novel and gain experience and new knowledge!

Ask a reader how they feel when they start reading a new book and they will tell
you it's a magnificent sensation, ask them how it feels to 'culminate' a book, and they will tell you there's no better feeling for a reader!
Consider this as a meal and assume that the book turns out to be great, the feeling would be equivalent to a satisfying repast on an empty stomach!

I had been on a book-culmination hiatus, starting several books (about 3 or 4), but for various reasons, couldn't bring myself to finish any of them. This left me with an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction. What I needed was a book I could immerse myself in—one that would allow me to break free from this reading slump and finally reach the satisfying conclusion I had been craving.
This book came not just as a saviour, but as an satisfying saviour, much like a delectable feast savored on an empty stomach. I began reading it yesterday and being back to reading felt so great that I culminated the entire book in a day!


Coming to the book, the story is about the events in the life of a cheerful 5 year old girl, who after living with her grandfather in a serene old place surrounded by nature and beauty all around is forced to move to the fast-paced and bustling life of a city. What follows is a series of adventures, each filled with valuable lessons as she navigates this entirely new environment. Along the way, she forms genuine relationships with the people she meets—connections so authentic and heartwarming that they are the kind you could cheer for your whole life.
This book was one of those feel - good light reads that makes you believe that greatness and good still exists in the world and that you can be cheerful even in tough circumstances! A satisfying read!

What made this even more satisfying was reading it in a classic hardcover edition and then sharing my thoughts in a Goodreads review, making the entire experience truly fulfilling !


4/5 stars!

When Ebba asked me to join her in a reread of this childhood classic, I eagerly agreed. This was my favorite book as a child. I received it as a Christmas gift when I was 8 or 9, and read it many times over. I looked forward to being in the Swiss Alps again with Heidi and the grandfather and the goats.

Reading as an adult, were there inconsistencies, miraculous things that were never explained? Of course. Were the good , kind people a little too kind? Of course. Was the ending just a little too perfect? Of course. But none of that mattered. The magic of Heidi is that the cynical old woman reading this was replaced by that 8 year old who believed that miracles do exist, that goodness is repaid by goodness, and that happy endings do exist. What a relief to be in that world for a few days.

Thank you Ebba. It was a pleasure reading with you.

This book is as precious as Anne of Green Gables. I loved it and it made me genuinely happy. If you are feeling upset and down, this book will for sure make you feel much better. It does have a little of a moralizing tone but I didn't mind it. I also think it could be a perfect reading slump cure. <3

Heidi güzel bir kitaptı:D Beklediğimi buldum diyebilirim. Ama karakterler ve olaylar birkaç ay önce okuyup 5 yıldız verdiğim "Gizli Bahçe" kitabıyla neredeyse tamamen aynıydı. Tabii hemen kontrol ettim ve Heidi'nin 30 yıl daha önce yazıldığını gördüm. Bu yüzden birazdan gidip "Gizli Bahçe" kitabına önceden verdiğim 5 yıldızı 3 yıldıza düşüreceğim:)

Heidi y la historia del Abuelo de los Alpes. Ya le tenía un gran cariño a la obra sobre todo por la última película del 2015 extraordinaria. Había leído algunos fragmentos de niño pero nunca la obra completa.
El estilo quizás no es el más extraordinario ni el argumento muy profundo pero la historia y el personaje de Heidi es entrañable.
Heidi o Adelaida, huérfana a muy temprana edad tras vivir con su tía Dete es llevada a vivir con su abuelo, el cual desde hace mucho vive apartado del pueblo de Dorfli, muy arriba en los alpes en una cabaña austera. Tanto como él detesta a la gente, también ellos a él. Heidi logra rápidamente el cariño de su abuelo y empieza a disfrutar de la vida en los alpes, donde sus paseos con las cabras y su amigo el pastor Pedro llenan sus días de diversión y de alegría.
Tiempo después su tía se la vuelve a llevar para colocarla en una casa de Frankfurt, en Alemania, para hacer compañía a Clara, la hija del Sr. Sesemann, que a raíz de la muerte temprana de su madre quedó inválida. Las experiencias que Heidi adquiere en aquella casa son nuevas y muy diferentes a su antigua vida en algo salvaje. Tiene que vérselas con la Sta. Rottenmeier quien le hará la vida imposible mucho tiempo a la par de inculcarle algunas habilidades externas.
Lo único que me molestó un poco de la historia es el enfoque que se le da en cuanto a la adaptación de la niña en la gran ciudad. En efecto, se puede decir que sufre una desadaptación muy notoria, lo cual la hace ver un poco débil, eso a mí no me gustó aunque muchos opinen lo contrario que su felicidad estaba en otra parte.
La obra es un conjunto de enseñanzas y aventuras que te recuerdan la importancia de lo interior, la inocencia de los niños, lo importante de estimularlos y ofrecerles cariño, y muchas otras cosas más que muchas obras actuales no tienen. Me sorprendió leer algunas cosas que no había visto en adaptaciones como el gran lazo que Heidi tuvo con la abuela de Pedro, con el doctor de Frankfurt y muchas otras cosas más.
Heidi a pesar de su edad y de ser huérfana tiene mucho cariño que dar, pero también es sacrificada, vivaz, solidaria y muy valiente. Hay muchas cosas que aprender en verdad de esta inolvidable historia.

There is this certain group of media which you consumed as a child and loved and it’s always going to have a special place in your heart. This book is one of those for me. This just tugs at my heart string just the right way.