For parents

Heidi for Kids: A Parent’s Guide

Goats, toasted cheese, a hayloft bed and the snowy Alps. How to bring one of the world’s best-loved children’s books to young readers.

By Sean Lee · October 27, 2026

What is Heidi about?

Johanna Spyri’s story, first published in 1881, begins when little Heidi’s aunt takes her up a Swiss mountain to live with her gruff grandfather, the Alm-Uncle. Heidi soon fills his lonely hut with joy. She runs with Peter the goatherd and his goats, sleeps in a hayloft and visits Peter’s blind grandmother.

Then her aunt takes her to the big city of Frankfurt to be a companion for Clara, a gentle girl who uses a wheelchair. Heidi learns to read and makes a dear friend, but she misses the mountains so much that she walks in her sleep. At last she goes home, and Clara comes to visit the Alm, where fresh air, friendship and a lot of courage help her stand on her own.

Meet the characters

• Heidi: a cheerful, curious girl who loves the mountains and everyone she meets.
• Alm-Uncle: Heidi’s grandfather, gruff on the outside and tender inside.
• Peter: the goatherd boy, who has a hard time sharing Heidi with her new friend.
• Clara Sesemann: Heidi’s gentle friend in Frankfurt.
• Fräulein Rottenmeier: the strict housekeeper who loves rules (and hates kittens).
• Grandmamma Sesemann: Clara’s kind grandmother, who helps Heidi learn to read.
• Doctor Classen: the wise doctor who sees that Heidi is homesick.
• Peter’s Grandmother: blind and patient, she treasures Heidi’s visits.

Why Heidi is a good first classic

Heidi is gentle and hopeful from beginning to end. Its biggest troubles are homesickness, a grumpy housekeeper and a jealous friend, all feelings young children understand. The “ghost” in the Frankfurt house turns out to be Heidi sleepwalking, and when Peter does something wrong, he owns up and is forgiven. It’s a lovely book for talking about missing home, making new friends and being kind to people who are lonely.

Big ideas to talk about

• Kindness can change people: Heidi’s love warms her grumpy grandfather’s heart.
• It’s normal to miss home, and it helps to tell a grown-up how you feel.
• Sharing a friend can be hard, and owning up to a mistake takes courage.
• Friends help each other try brave new things.

Activities

• Make a cheese toastie with a grown-up, like Grandfather’s toasted cheese.
• Go on a flower walk and draw the flowers you find, as Heidi did on the Alm.
• Save a treat to share with someone, like Heidi’s soft white rolls for Peter’s grandmother.
• Use our free Heidi discussion questions, character cards and unit study.