Heidi

Book review by Matt Berman, Common Sense Media
Heidi Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Classic story has lost none of its joy and power.

Johanna Spyri Literary Fiction 1880
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Parents say

age 8+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 12 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Heidi is a classic story by Swiss author Johanna Spyri, first publiished in 1880. It's beautifully written, but it may not be not to every contemporary kid's taste. It tells the story of an orphaned young girl sent to live with her grandfather in the mountains of Switzerland. It was adapted for a 1937 film starrring Shirley Temple and again in 1993 and 2015. An animated film version was also released in 2015.

Community Reviews

Arin W.
Arin W. Adult
July 27, 2020
age 8+

Attention fellow heathens!

Our family just finished part 1 of 2 and we’re enjoying it, but good lord, there’s a lot of stuff about The Good Lord! I came here to read reviews before starting and am surprised nobody mentioned how much God stuff there was. So, there you go.
1 person found this helpful.
Little Bookworm
Little Bookworm Adult
April 10, 2021
age 7+

Review From a 7 year old

Heidi is a nice story. If your child is an reading beginner, I suggest that you read it to him/her. If your child is an very good reader, l suggest that you let him/her try it and then tell you what they think about Heidi. The book I had has about 285 pages exactly. I got a new one that has 336 pages. I read the book that has 285 pages, but not the one that has 336 pages. So far in coronavirus, I’ve read 605 chapter books for real. My mom has been counting them ever since covid started. I get a prize for every hundred chapter books I read. I suggest that if you have an emerging reader, buy chapter books or book some from a library so he/she can get interested in reading, give he/she a prize for every 40 or 100 chapter books so when your child is ready, let your child read some and if he/she struggles to read, give some help. Heidi is a marvelous book and will probably be delighting children for centuries. The story is about a little girl named Heidi. Heidi moves to her Grandfather’s house on the mountain tops. Heidi brings happiness back to him. Far in the story, Heidi goes to family with a child named Clara. She gets back to the mountains, and Clara comes to visit. Heidi helps Clara to get of her wheelchair. Heidi made Clara be able to walk again. That’s what I have to say about the noble Heidi.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Orphaned Heidi is taken to live with her grandfather, a grumpy hermit. But the bond of love that grows between them is disrupted when Heidi is taken to live in the city as a companion to an invalid girl.

Is It Any Good?

Heidi's life on the mountain is so joyous, and vividly portrayed that kids may end up dreaming of such a life. There's a reason this book has stayed in print for more than 140 years.

Her misery in the city, during the middle third of the book, is vivid as well, and readers will long with Heidi to get back to the healthy, sun-filled mountains. The final portion, with the healing of Clara, is, despite its predictability, exciting and moving. The rock-solid values the author espouses may seem simple and old-fashioned today, but you may find yourself longing for them again -- and immersing your child in them can only be healthy. This theme of the healing power of nature and optimism was a favorite in an earlier era. This classic story has lost none of its joy and power, but its slow pace and old-fashioned spirit is not for everyone. Young readers who have the temperament and experience to read or listen to a story of this length and pacing will be rewarded.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about learning from experience in Heidi. What does Heidi learn when she first goes up the mountain?

  • How does Heidi respond to the city, and how is she different when she returns to the mountains?

  • Have you seen any of the film versions of Heidi? How do they compare with the book?

Book Details

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