Heidi (Classic Starts) Hardcover – February 1, 2007

Yes, it is sentimental, but, recall it was written in a different age and for children of that age. And it is a very loving book to read at Easter.

Excellent translation, beautiful language that invites the reader in to experience great beauty and an uplifting delightful tale one can never forget.

One must read through the eyes of a child to receive the true message woven into these pages about a selfless young girl who finds God grace while thinking only of others.

I couldn’t resist rereading this classic story from my childhood. The tale of little Heidi who is left upon the mountaintop with her crotchety grandfather is so sweet and good for the soul! Rereading this gem took me back to a simpler time.

Loved finally reading and listening to this great classic. It is a classic in more ways than I can say. Every child should hear this story many times.

I chose to listen to the audible of this book while reading along because my mind was rather troubled at the time and concentrating was difficult. Whether that makes a difference, I am unclear but, having read this book many times over as a child, I was rather astonished at the high vocabulary level and complicated sentence structures. It occurred to me that books such as these had largely contributed to my ease of understanding when, in later years, the more technical elements of grammar and writing were taught.As to the book itself, it was everything and more than I remembered. To this day, at the age of 70, I think of Heidi whenever the wind ruffles the leaves in my own yard. The gentle way Spyri handled sensitive subjects inspires me to do more of the same with those around me. So many emotions ran through the characters from love and devotion to jealousy and guilt. Though many may feel the author was heavy handed with her religious admonitions, I find she stayed true to the time and the attitudes prevalent in that era. This cast of characters is as relevant today as it was then and certainly we would all benefit from current and future generations taking to heart many of the lessons learned in this eternal classic.

We love this book! I read it to my kids as they fall asleep.Here are the professional reviews:Amazon.com ReviewJohanna Spyri's classic story of a young orphan sent to live with her grumpy grandfather in the Swiss Alps is retold in it's entirety in this beautifully bound hardcover edition. Heidi has charmed and intrigued readers since it's original publication in 1880. Much more than a children's story, the narrative is also a lesson on the precarious nature of freedom, a luxury too often taken for granted. Heidi almost loses her liberty as she is ripped away from the tranquility of the mountains to tend to a sick cousin in the city. Happily, all's well that ends well, and the reader is left with only warm, fuzzy thoughts. Spryi's story will never grow wearisome--and this is a very appealing edition. --Naomi Gesinger --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.From Publishers WeeklyThis truncated retelling of orphan Heidi's simple life in the Swiss Alps and her sojourn in the big city seems almost as indebted to the Shirley Temple film as to Johanna Spyri's 1880 novel. Krupinski's (A New England Scrapbook) heroine mimics Temple, curls, button nose and all, though she lacks the actress's expressive smile and gestures. Similarly blank-faced characters contrast with Krupinski's serene, lushly idealized landscape paintings: the people seem like wax dolls, but the glowing blankets of flowers make the Alps heaven on earth. The text emphasizes the sensual joys of fresh goat's milk, fir trees "with their piney scent," Heidi's sweet-smelling bed in her grandfather's hay loft, etc., but that is its only demonstrable strength. Both Heidi's relationship with her grandfather and the idealized subplot about wheelchair-bound Klara's learning to walk are woodenly described; little space is given to dialogue and even less to Heidi's emotions. The plot, too, is severely condensed: "Many more good things happened after that day." The book succeeds as a portrayal of the joys of mountain life, but otherwise fails to do justice to Spyri's story of a girl's courage and persistence. Ages 5-9.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.I agree with both of those reviews.

I have read 50 pages so far, and things are goin' good. The one thing I'd say about this book, is that it's a teeny-weeny bit small. It coulda done with bein' about twice as big.Deta is a hard-.ss and Heidi is joyful and contemporary, meanin' by that that she isn't unreal- she can stare like daggers, with a flinty look; well, by that I mean she can look Deta or Grandpa straight in the eye: Deta anyway.She likes goats, and there was unpasteurised milk them days, an' people was as tough as Jigger Johnson or Tom Fink; Heidi included.So there was goats milk, or goats' milk, straight from the tap. Heidi mighta' been an eyes (and ears, so as not to upset the meter of the sentence) of Johanna Spryi, and 'er (readin "William Tell Retold, by P.G. Wodehouse) wish to show a pictorial evocative diorama 'n' panorama; a panorama anyway of the Alpine wilderness; with fir trees howling from the wind- or t'other way 'round.So the sights and sounds are there. A prop pos the size though, the book could've been' a bit bigger, as it is only the size of a kitchen-box o' matches (in height) an' one-an'-a-half the time wide; as an aforesaid Swan kitchen match box. But Marion Edwardes seems to have been a great translator. In 1910.

This is an utterly delightful read. Having read this book as a child and also the joy of watching a film about Heidi some many years ago it has been utterly delightful to read this kindle version - complete with coloured pictures.Unputdownable for me, thoroughly recommend this heartening tale of childhood innocence, love and understanding and the powers of true friendships.

I never realized, at the time, as a child, that so many editions of Heidi existed ! However, when I wanted to have a copy of my own, again (the original copy had been given away), no-other Heidi, but the one I remembered, would do ! Thank goodness many Amazon sellers show pictures, give dates : thanks to this, after scrolling down many a Heidi page on Amazon, I eventually found one that had been published at the same time as my original copy, and another, that had been printed later, but still had the same dust-cover .. so I bought both !Happiness is a trip to the past, and what better past than a reminder of the dreams you had, as a child ?Today it's all on a screen, but, 'at my time', imagination was nourished by lingering on a page, on an illustration, time and time again, before putting the book away, for good : now, I remember a world that was, with warmth, even if it no longer is, thanks to a beautifully written book ... and a well supplied, and organised site !Thank you, Amazon.

Another great classic to add to my list of books read this year.For those of you who have not read Heidi it is the story of a young girl who is sent to live with her grandfather who lives on a mountain. She and the old man form an unlikely but heart-warming connection before her auntie cruelly takes her away and sends her to live with another family to be a companion for a sickly young girl. Heidi’s desire to go home makes her ill and eventually she is reunited with her grandfather.Heidi is a gorgeous story and my lovely Puffin in Bloom edition is a beautiful edition to my library. If you love classics then you must read Heidi.Heidi by Johanna Spyri is available now.

I just love this book. It was one of the first books I had as a child and loved the story. I have visited snow covered mountains and whilst there Heidi was always in my thoughts. That is why I purchased the book to read again. I would definitely recommend this book and the seller, as I received it very promptly.