auntnono's Full Review: Random House Mondadori ( editor ) - Heidi
This Children’s' Book write-off was organized by Forkids in commemoration of her 400th review. I am honored to be included with the following writers who have joined together to help celebrate Forkids achievement:
I hope you will take the time to read their reviews of their favorite children's books
Picking my favorite children's book was a pretty easy task. It has been over 37 years since I first read Heidi, but I remember the story like it was yesterday. Why? Because more than anything I wanted to be Heidi. I wanted to run free with the goats. Sleep on a bed of hay. Watch my grandfather make a stool with only the minimum of tools. But mostly, I wanted to spread joy the way Heidi did.
Heidi was the creation of Johanna Spyri (1827-1901), a Swiss housewife married to a lawyer. Spyri began her writing career at the age of 43. She wrote stories about people and scenes from her youth when she lived on the high Swiss Plateau among Alpine meadows and towering mountains.
Heidi was written in 1880, not as a book, but as two stories: Heidi's Years of Learning and Heidi Makes Use of What She has Learned. They were an immediate success. Originally written in German, the stories have been translated into many languages and published in several versions without ever losing their wholesome appeal. The stories have also been the basis for several films. Most notably, one starring Shirley Temple (my personal favorite).
Over the years, I have reread Heidi many times. Always I have come away with a feeling of having traveled back in time to a place of beauty and innocence. I once again dream of running through Alpine pastures without worry or care.
Yet sadly, I realize today's youth probably would not like this book. The recommended reading age is 9-12. In today's fast paced world, I think children in this age group would find the story "dumb". Children grow up faster now. Heidi going to live with Grandfather is more likely to be seen as abandonment than an adventure. Her aunt taking her to Frankfurt is little more than kidnapping. What a pity our times could make such an enjoyable book take on sinister overtones.
I believe a more appropriate age group would be 5 to 7 years. However, a younger child might not have the necessary reading skills. I would recommend an adult reading this to a child. Preferably one who loves the book and can instill an appreciation for a time and innocence long lost. I know I am looking forward to reading this to my 3-year-old niece in a few years. Her parents know, I’ve got dibs on Heidi.
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