Is Peter’s grandmother blind in Heidi?

Yes. She is blind and spends her days spinning in her cottage, which is why Heidi’s reading and company mean so much to her.

What does Heidi bring Peter’s grandmother?

Heidi brings soft white rolls, because the old woman only has hard black bread. Heidi also reads her the hymns from her old prayer-book.

Who lives with Peter’s grandmother?

She lives with her grandson Peter and his mother, Brigitta.

From Heidi

Peter’s Grandmother

Peter’s grandmother • Patient and humble

Peter’s blind grandmother, who treasures Heidi’s visits and soft white rolls.

Who is Peter’s Grandmother?

Peter’s grandmother lives in a drafty little cottage on the mountainside, where she spends her days spinning wool. She is blind, and she treasures Heidi’s visits, saying Heidi’s voice is like sunshine, while Heidi saves soft bread for her and learns to read so she can share hymns with her. By the end, many friends make sure she is warm and cared for.

Peter’s Grandmother is a character in Heidi, the 1881 novel by Johanna Spyri, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Peter’s Grandmother like?

gentle
grateful
loving

Peter’s Grandmother’s story

Peter’s grandmother lives in a small, rickety cottage halfway up the mountain with Peter and his mother, Brigitta. She is blind and stays in her corner spinning, and for years she has had very few visitors. The shutters bang in the wind, and she has no white bread, only hard black bread.

Heidi’s first visit changes her life. Heidi notices the loose shutter and tells grandfather, who mends it. The old woman tells Heidi she feels the darkness much less when Heidi is with her. In Frankfurt, Heidi saves soft white rolls for her, and when Heidi returns she puts them in the old woman’s lap.

Heidi also reads her the old hymns she has not heard for years, and the old woman says they bring light to the heart. Kind visitors send her a warm bed and a shawl. She is also wise: she helps Heidi trust God again when Heidi feels forgotten. By the end she is warm, safe and grateful.

“Ah, Heidi, that brings light to the heart! What comfort you have brought me!”

Peter’s grandmother, after Heidi reads her a hymn aloud. From the original 1881 novel by Johanna Spyri.

A moment to remember

When Heidi bursts through the door after coming home, Grandmother tastes a soft white roll and calls Heidi her little angel.

Peter: grandson
Heidi: young friend who reads to her
Alm-Uncle: neighbor who mends her cottage
Grandmamma Sesemann: kind lady who sends gifts

Talk about it

Heidi visited Peter’s grandmother and read to her. Who is someone you could visit or help this week?

Questions about Peter’s Grandmother

Is Peter’s grandmother blind in Heidi?: Yes. She is blind and spends her days spinning in her cottage, which is why Heidi’s reading and company mean so much to her.
What does Heidi bring Peter’s grandmother?: Heidi brings soft white rolls, because the old woman only has hard black bread. Heidi also reads her the hymns from her old prayer-book.
Who lives with Peter’s grandmother?: She lives with her grandson Peter and his mother, Brigitta.