About Heidi
The orphan Heidi is five years old when her Aunt Dete takes her to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. The gruff old man, lives a secluded life in his mountain hut and at first has no idea what to do with his granddaughter. But over time, he grows fond of her, and Heidi becomes a true child of the mountains.
Before long, she is herding goats together with her new friend Peter. Heidi loves all animals, but especially the little goat Michief, her bird Little Chippy, and eventually even the St. Bernard, Joseph. But one day Aunt Dete returns and takes Heidi away with her to Frankfurt…
Meet the Characters
Heidi
Have you ever been to the mountains? Nowhere in the world is it as beautiful as there. Heidi is curious about everything that happens around her—whether it’s the ringing of bells, the sounds of the trees, the homemade cheese from her grandfather, or the fresh cheesecake that Heidi finds especially delicious. And of course, she loves her animals! There are so many of them at her grandfather’s place.
Joseph
Grandfather’s St. Bernard, Joseph, is a loyal companion on Heidi and Peter’s adventures. He also dutifully helps his friends whenever it’s needed. But most of all, the clumsy, easygoing fellow loves to laze in the sun and take a nap.
Peter
Peter is Heidi’s best friend, and he knows a great deal about life in the mountains. As a goatherd, he naturally knows the most about goats—which is why Grandfather calls him the “goat general.” Heidi goes out to the alpine pastures with him almost every day, and the two of them always have exciting adventures.
Grandfather
Grandfather can be quite a grump at times. That’s probably because he’s been living in his little hut for a very long time. At first, he didn’t want Heidi at all—but she stayed, and before long he grew very fond of her. And so Heidi lives with him up on the alpine pasture.
Aunt Dete
After Heidi’s mother dies, Aunt Dete takes little Heidi in and grows very fond of her. It is very hard for her to bring Heidi to her grandfather in the mountains, but she has to do it because she has been offered a new job with the Sesemann family in Frankfurt. Although Heidi misses her from time to time, the little girl is very sad when Aunt Dete suddenly comes back to the mountains and takes her away to Frankfurt.
Grandmother
Peter’s grandmother is blind, but she supports her grandson and Heidi whenever she can. She is very warm-hearted and always has good advice, which is why Heidi gets along so well with her. When Grandmother isn’t feeling well, Heidi worries about her a great deal.
Miss Rottenmeier
The strict housekeeper, Miss Rottenmeier, is responsible for the upbringing and care of the ailing Clara. She doesn’t always know how to handle Heidi’s cheerful nature.
Mischief
The little goat was given her name by Heidi. She was born during a thunderstorm. Heidi and Peter managed to bring her mother, Distelfink, into Grandfather’s sheltering barn just in time for the birth.
Clara
When the two girls, Heidi, and Clara, met in Frankfurt for the first time, Heidi knew immediately that they would become best friends. Clara has been in a wheelchair since her mother died. Her father, Mr. Sesemann, is a wealthy businessman and travels a lot. That’s why he hires Fraulein Rottenmeier as a teacher for Clara. Heidi and Clara have a lot of fun together in Frankfurt, so Clara can forget that she can’t walk. But when Clara visits Heidi after her return to the mountains, a miracle happens: she can walk again!
Impressions
