Heidi, classic children’s novel by Swiss writer Johanna Spyri, published in two volumes in 1880–81. The title character is a young orphan who is sent to the Swiss mountains to live with her grandfather.

Summary

The novel opens with Aunt Dete taking her niece, Heidi, to stay with the young girl’s grandfather, a goatherd who lives alone in the Swiss Alps. Dete, who has taken care of Heidi since she was orphaned as a baby, has a new job and can no longer care for the child. However, villagers express concern about Heidi living with her grandfather. He is a bitter old man who has become reclusive and has rejected religion. Nevertheless, Heidi is left with him, and the odd couple—after some initial reluctance on the grandfather’s part—are happy together. Away from her aunt’s oppression, the little girl’s spirits soar, and her goodness and faith soften the old man’s heart. She quickly comes to love life on the mountain and makes friends with Peter the goatherd and his blind grandmother, among others.