What does Grandmamma teach Heidi?

She helps Heidi see that reading is not as hard as Peter said, and she promises a picture book as a reward. She also explains that God hears every prayer and answers in His own time.

What does Grandmamma give Peter?

She forgives him for pushing Clara’s chair and promises him a penny every week for the rest of his life.

Does Grandmamma visit the Alps?

Yes, twice. On her second visit she is amazed to see Clara walking.

From Heidi

Grandmamma Sesemann

Clara’s grandmother • Kind and clever

Clara’s wise, playful grandmother, who helps Heidi learn to read.

Who is Grandmamma Sesemann?

Grandmamma Sesemann is Clara’s cheerful grandmother, with silver curls, a lavender dress and sparkling blue eyes. When Heidi thinks reading is too hard, Grandmamma sits beside her and patiently helps the letters turn into words. She comforts Heidi when she is sad, brings warm gifts to Peter’s grandmother, and gently forgives Peter when he tells the truth.

Grandmamma Sesemann is a character in Heidi, the 1881 novel by Johanna Spyri, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Grandmamma Sesemann like?

cheerful
patient
generous

Grandmamma Sesemann’s story

Grandmamma, Clara’s grandmother, visits the Frankfurt house when Heidi has been struggling for some time. She sees right away that Heidi is not stupid, and she is not afraid of Fräulein Rottenmeier. When Heidi, following Fräulein Rottenmeier’s orders, greets her with a muddled “Mrs. Madam,” Grandmamma laughs and says that to children she is always Grandmamma.

She notices that Heidi believes what Peter once told her, that learning to read is hopeless, and she gently explains that this is untrue. She promises a beautiful picture book as a reward. She also talks with Heidi about prayer, helping her see that God has not forgotten her even if her wish to go home is not granted yet.

Grandmamma is also very generous. She sends gifts to Peter’s grandmother, including a soft bed and a warm shawl. Later she visits the Alps twice, the second time for the big surprise of Clara’s walking. She gently coaxes the truth out of Peter, forgives him and promises him a penny every week for the rest of his life.

“If a person is called ‘Heidi’ and has grown accustomed to that name, I call her by the same, and so let it be.”

Grandmamma Sesemann, overruling Fräulein Rottenmeier about Heidi’s name. From the original 1881 novel by Johanna Spyri.

A moment to remember

Grandmamma gives Heidi a big red book, and after a few days of practice together, Heidi reads the whole shepherd story aloud.

Clara Sesemann: granddaughter
Heidi: young friend she teaches
Fräulein Rottenmeier: housekeeper she outranks
Peter: boy she forgives
Peter’s Grandmother: old woman she helps

Talk about it

Grandmamma helped Heidi learn something that felt too hard. What is something you learned with a little help?

Questions about Grandmamma Sesemann

What does Grandmamma teach Heidi?: She helps Heidi see that reading is not as hard as Peter said, and she promises a picture book as a reward. She also explains that God hears every prayer and answers in His own time.
What does Grandmamma give Peter?: She forgives him for pushing Clara’s chair and promises him a penny every week for the rest of his life.
Does Grandmamma visit the Alps?: Yes, twice. On her second visit she is amazed to see Clara walking.