Heidi

Heidi by Johanna Spyri (1881)

An orphan girl is sent to live with her grumpy grandfather on an Alpine mountain — and transforms his life, her own, and everyone she meets with her irresistible joy and goodness. One of the most beloved children's books ever written.

Historical Significance:
Johanna Spyri, a Swiss author, published Heidi in 1881, and it became an international phenomenon. The novel has been translated into over 50 languages and sold over 50 million copies. Heidi's love of nature, her healing influence on the paralyzed Clara, and her relationship with her initially forbidding grandfather established templates used by countless children's books since. Shirley Temple's 1937 film cemented Heidi's place in popular culture. The book is credited with helping to establish Swiss Alpine tourism — visitors come specifically seeking "Heidi's mountains." It is Switzerland's most famous cultural export after chocolate and watches.

This public domain classic was originally published in 1881. Free to read and share.