"When he (the sun) says good-night to the mountains he throws his most beautiful colors over them, so that they may not forget him before he comes again the next day."
I adored Heidi when I was growing up, and to say that I was obsessed with the BBC adaptation is an understatement. Despite it being originally filmed in German and dubbed (very badly) into English, I could watch it over and over again. From what I can remember, it was shown on a Sunday morning, week in, and week out, and then repeated all over again.
Until I reread it for June's read for #classiclitbookclub, I'd forgotten how much I loved it. Even now, at 52 years old, I want to be Heidi. I want to be springing from rock to rock as I climb up and down the mountainside. I want to sleep in the loft on a bed of hay and gaze up at the stars through a hole in the roof!
When Clara visits from the city, she arrives being unable to walk and leaves, very much recuperated. This reminded me very much of The Secret Garden and even back in 1881 when Heidi was written, it was obviously very apparent that being outside in the fresh air, at one with nature, can be hugely beneficial for health and wellbeing. Something which is very much encouraged today for mental health.
If you've never read this, and you fancy an easy, escapist read where you're transported to the beauty of the Swiss mountains, then give this a go.
About the Book
When Heidi, a cheerful 5-year-old orphan, comes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps, she brings a bright ray of sunshine into the lives of the people around her. Young Peter, a goatherd, shares her love of nature, and his blind grandmother delights in the little girl's bubbling personality. Even Heidi's surly and hermit-like grandfather, the old Alm-Uncle, finds his long-lost grandchild a source of immense pleasure.
A few years later, when she is forced to go to Frankfurt to serve as a companion for Klara, a well-to-do but sickly girl, Heidi must leave her beloved mountains and friends behind — an experience that proves highly traumatic to the innocent and sensitive little girl. But her return home and a visit from Klara result in magical moments that will leave young readers thoroughly captivated by this heartwarming tale of an unforgettable child and her effect on the people around her.
Complete and unabridged, this story "for children and those who love children" will thrill today's youngsters just as it has delighted generations of young readers and listeners since its original publication in 1881.
About Johanna
Johanna Spyri (1827–1901) was a Swiss author best known for her beloved children's book Heidi. Born in Hirzel, Switzerland, Spyri grew up in a rural setting that would later inspire the vivid Alpine landscapes in her writing. She began her literary career later in life, publishing Heidi in 1880, which quickly became an international classic. Spyri’s works often reflect themes of nature, family, and the resilience of children. Her heartfelt storytelling and depiction of Swiss village life continue to charm readers around the world.
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