Johanna Spyri Books

"To God confide thy cares,
On Him thy burden cast,
He heareth all thy prayers
And sends relief at last.

His never-failing love,
His wisdom sure and true,
Bring comfort from above
And all thy hopes renew."

This poem is from the book Heidi. This book has wonder and I love books that have wonder in them. The theme of this book is friendship, a real home, and making discoveries as you grow up. There is also (near the ending) a little theme of God. Heidi finds out God's love for all of us and she tries to love him back.
Heidi, an orphan, is left to a servant of a wealthy family, Deiti. Deiti returns Heidi to her grandfather, Uncle Alp. Uncle Alp lives on a mountain isolating himself from the townspeople in Dorfli, but he takes great joy in taking care of Heidi. Grandfather takes care of Heidi for about two to three years. Deiti takes Heidi back to Frankfurt and Heidi stays there for two years. There, Heidi meets Clara. Clara is a nice twelve year old girl, but she's in a wheelchair and she needs a playmate which Heidi becomes. Heidi experiences some adventures in Frankfurt and goes back home to the mountains again with her grandfather after Heidi wasn't feeling well. Clara, the doctor (who took care of Clara and Heidi), Mr. Sessamen (the kind father of Clara), and Mrs. Sessamen (the grandmother of Clara who teaches Heidi about God) come to visit Heidi. On the mountains a miracle happens and it surprises everyone. Uncle Alp is well known in the town of Dorfli. A lot of people say he's a bad man for not going to church with them or living up on the mountain, but Heidi needs to go to school in the winter. Will Uncle Alp make the sacrifice and move into town for Heidi to get into school?
I love this book because it is so charming and a lot of unexpected things happen to Heidi (especially in Frankfurt!) This is a funny and fantastic story to read. As an adult or teen this book explains some facts about God that us adults/teens might have never known or imagined. "I'll always say my prayers after this, as Grandmamma told me to, and if God doesn't answer them at once I shall know it's because He's planning something better for me, just like He did in Frankfurt," says Heidi at one point in the book. As I was reading the book it made me think of my life and how I put God into my life in my actions and in my words. This story is a wonder and I highly recommend it to anybody.

Another outstanding piece of classic
children's literature, belongs on the
same shelf an any North American or
Western Civilization child's library.
In same vain of classics as Anne of
Green Gables or Anne of Avonlea realm!

I agree, this book deserves many, many stars. I read it aloud to my seventh-graders. The old-fashioned language was sometimes a bit difficult for them, but they really enjoyed the story and its theme of learning to trust in God. Heidi's sweet loving nature is like a breath of fresh mountain air, and her innocent scrapes, longing for her loved ones, and enthusiasm for life make this an all-time favorite book, one I could read every year.
NOTE-- the author review should be written about Johanna Spyri, not Beverly Cleary.

The purchase of Heidi was partly a whim and also a return to childhood for a group of women "of a certain age." We have a book discussion group that meets weekly to talk about small portions of a selected book. Someone suggested that we re-read a book from our childhood, and the decision fell on "Heidi." It was an interesting experience to re-encounter a book we hadn't read in at least 35 years.

There were parts that we remembered as if we had read them yesterday, and other parts where we were able to examine the author's writing technique, the descriptions that were typical of the time when the book was written, and the life lessons that were presented in a very pleasant way.

Because we were reading from a variety of editions, we noted that cover pictures varied from the dark haired child that most of us remembered to a presentation of a blond child. Those individuals who had illustrations included in their books, some of which had been owned for 50+ years, happily shared them with the group, producing many more comments about clothing, the Alpine scenery, and the characters as we had imagined them.

Discussing a book from our childhood is not a regular practice of the group, but for this one time, it elicited many personal comments about our memories and our admiration for the author and her technique.

This is the classic children's story that never grows old. Here we read about Heidi's trip up the Ulm wearing every bit of clothing she owns on her back. Here we see her discover the wonders of life close to the majestic pines that speak to her soul. So, too, we find her befriending the elderly people who make up her small world--and our hearts are touched with a sense of appreciation and joy.

This is the kind of book you want to read and the kind you want to read to children. Although there are other versions of Johanna Spyri's children's classic available, the smart shopper will buy this one. Because it is graced by the tenderly rendered drawings by Grace Dalles Clarke, one of the 20th century's great illustrators. The faces of the people reflect the faces Ms Clarke saw in her own extended family, as do the other fine illustrations she did in her first career, before she moved away from the artistic end of publishing and into the editorial realm.

Those who appreciate the beauty and simplicity of these illustrations will also enjoy knowing that Ms Clarke illustrated the original companion book to Walt Disney's 1960s film of Mary Poppins, staring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, as well as child-friendly versions of the Blue Fairy Book and the Red Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. For many years, every one of the Golden Book series sported a collage of drawings by Ms Clarke on the back cover-these too are now highly collectable.

This is a captivating, heart warming story of a five year old girl, who is sent to live with her grandfather, high on the swiss alps...
Heidi's grandfather lived the life of a hermit, up on the mountain, rarely seen by anyone, untill Heidi, his only grandchild, comes from her aunt, who has looked after her since the death of her parents, to live with him. Heidi worms her way into the grumpy old man's heart in a way that no-one ever thought possible, with her childish affections, and the belief that her grandfather can do no wrong...
But when Heidi is sent to live in the city, what will happen???
'Heidi' is a simply written story that will captivate, and warm the hearts of all readers.

Teresa Gallagher's perfomance is worth listening. From 8-year-old girl to senior men and women, or even a kitten, she plays by herself with complete control - flawlessly composed. I strongly recommend to try her art of voice.

Background music is discreet and proper, which reminds me of Johann Strauss.

I'm sorry it's abridged, perhaps into 1/3 or 1/4 of original. But despite this minor complaint, this is a masterpiece.

These read and listen books are wonderful! We recently added Heidi to the few have and it is as great as the others. They are wonderful for long car rides, or rainy afternoons, or just for those times when your children need a little quiet time. They come with a read a-long book, but younger children will happily listen without that. The narrators are talented and the stories will keep the interest of children as young as 3 years old. A great way to introduce your children to some classics! Also check out their other titles- all wonderful!

Aaah, this absolutely adorable charmer that warms your heart and soul. Almost everyone knows the story of Heidi. This 'little' tale about the sweet child Heidi, is fresh, vivid, and so much fun. You can smell, see, hear and taste all the foods, sights and sounds. The story teaches so many important lessons. Lessons about love, friendship, relationships and God. This story is relevant to every generation, and Heidi will never grow old. You might even be strongly tempted to name your own daughter Heidi

Reader's please note that the Publisher's Weekly review is not a review of the book listed above. The book reviewed is an entirely different book by the same author.

This volume was originally from the series/set called "Every Child's Library," great reading for young people by many different authors. It was originally published by the Saalfield Publishing Company of Akron, Ohio.

Here are the chapters, to give you an idea of this book's content:

Chapter I. Under the Lindens.
Chapter II. Long, Long Days.
Chapter III. On the Other Side of the Hedge.
Chapter IV. All Six.
Chapter V. Before and After the Flood.
Chapter VI. A Frightful Deed.
Chapter VII. Long-Wished-For Happiness.
Chapter VIII. More Charades.
Chapter IX. "What Must Be, Must Be."
Appendix

(From Wikipedia) "Johanna Spyri, (June 12, 1827 - July 7, 1901), was an author of children's stories, and is 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.

There are about 33 titles in all from the "Every Child's Library" series, many of which are classics. They include: Black Beauty; Robinson Crusoe; Cornelli, Her Childhood; Treasure Island; The Swiss Family Robinson; King Arthur for Boys; Hans Brinker; Little Men; Heidi; Little Women; Adventure of Tom Sawyer; Elsie Dinsmore; Pinocchio; A Dog of Flanders; The Black Arrow; Kidnapped; An Old-Fashioned Girl; Moby Dick; Maxa's Children; A Little Swiss Boy; Uncle Titus in the Country; A Wonder Book; Tanglewood Tales; At the Back of the North Wind; Eight Cousins; Rose in Bloom; Under the Lilacs; Granny's Wonderful Chair; Five Little Peppers and How They Grew; Toby Tyler; Robin Hood; Jim Davis, and; The Little Duke.

This book is one of my all time favorite stories! It is about a little girl who goes to stay with her "mean" grandfather high in the Swiss mountains. She thrives in the mountain air and shares a special love with her grandfather. She is later taken away to live in Frankfurt with a wealthy family as a companian for a sick little girl, but being away from her grandfather and mountain air makes Heidi so homesick she actually becomes physically ill. She finally is able to return to her mountain and is part of a miracle that takes place there. This is such an enjoyable book to read and is a beautiful picture of love and forgiveness. I have read it several times and each time it gets better.

this is my favorite book of all time. i started crying at some parts and heidi is cute, genorous, and funny...

the book that arrived was not the one i ordered. I tried to contact seller by email and got no reply. the book they did send was just the plain book heidi it was in great shape and arrived quick.

When I was a child, I was struck in the eye with a rock thrown by my brother. I was injured to a point that I was bedridden for 6 weeks, and had to take one inch steps in order to heal my eye. I was also confined to a dark room. My mother would read "Heidi" to me as I lie in misery. The doctor said that I had to lie still. He did not want me to injure my eye even more than I had.

Heidi is a book that changed my life. It gave me hope as I lie in darkness. It made me taste goats milk even though to this day I never have. I hope to take this book and read it to my 84 year old mother soon so that I may turn the tables. This book is amazing. Buy it. Read it. Share it with your loved ones. I cannot emphasize enough that this story is magic. God Bless all who read this. Jen

This book is marvelous for both adults and children! Very well illustrated, so you can read the book to the tiniest of children and use the pictures to help them along until they're old enough to understand and read the words in the book. Can start children on this book as a picture book and work their way up to reading it. I read it as an adult and found it very enjoyable. You won't regret buying this book!