Heidi

By: Johanna Spyri

Narrated by: John McDonough

Orphaned at an early age, the young girl Heidi finds a home high in the Swiss Alps with her reclusive grandfather. There, each glorious day is filled with discovery, adventure and the friendship of a gentle goat boy, Peter. But when Heidi is sent away from her mountain paradise to a large, cold city, she is determined to find a way to return to the place she loves.

For generations, children around the world have fallen under the spell of this small alpine girl. Heidi is the heartwarming story of an exuberant child’s goodness, courage, and love. Filled with unforgettable characters and majestic scenery, it is an enduring classic of children’s literature.

Author Johanna Spyri lived her entire life in a small Swiss town near Zurich. Heidi, first published in 1881, is a largely autobiographical work that echoes Ms. Spyri’s affection for the countryside, flowers and animals that surrounded her. John McDonough brings Heidi vibrantly to life, enriching this beloved tale with the warmth and drama of his narration.

Public Domain (P)1996 Recorded Books

Soothing narration of a beautiful classic

We adore this story and especially love John McDonough as narrator. We have heard him read many stories and he is a warm, welcome friend in our home now. Heidi is a beautiful classic that we can listen to over and over. There is charm, humor, wisdom, beauty. Timeless!

Story of hope and redemption

I have always loved this story. An aunt who has been raising her dead sister’s child leaves her at the paternal Grandfather’s hut in the Swiss Alps. He’s got a reputation for being a mean recluse but takes good care of her. Then, the aunt comes back a few years later and takes the granddaughter with her to the big city of Frankfurt to be a companion for an invalid child. I don’t want to give any more of the story away, but through adversity and God’s intervention, this little girl is able to change so many lives for the good. The story has a Christian emphasis so if that offends you, don’t read. If all you have seen are movie adaptations, please give this book or audio rendition a chance. The story is simple, yet full of fantastic descriptions of life on the alps and in the city. I could really imagine being there on the alps with the beautiful flowers and wind whistling through the trees. At another part of the story I always cry because I can empathize with the heartfelt sadness Heidi is dealing with. Most of the movies embellish the story or downright change events which ruin the wholesomeness and simplicity. One movie version I saw had the child kidnapped to sell by one of the staff but she’s saved when Grandpa comes to steal her back to the alps. The police think he’s the one kidnapping her so a police chase on wagon and horseback ensues. I laughed my butt off, but the story was ruined.

My favorite book.

I always come back to read this. God, nature, nourishment and love = life is the theme

Sweet story

Listened to this book with my 6 year old daughter. We loved it! It’s well written and the story is wonderful. Highly recommend!

Wonderful Narration of a Beautiful Story

Listened to this version with my kids. The narrator sounds like the Alm-uncle, or Heidi’s grandfather is telling us the story.
Having only seen the movie as a child, I was surprised and delighted that this is such a heartfelt, sincere, and Christ-centered book about redemption, community, love and forgiveness. It was enjoyed by my 4 kids (ages 9 and under) and equally enjoyed by me!

A life of love and peace

Wonderful story of how to look at life even if it is not always comfortable and create for yourself a microcosm of love and peace around you. Heidi is timeless in creating friends and stepping up to improve the life of those around you.

LOVE IT

NOTHING! It is perfection! Heidi has and will always remain one of my favorite books of all times. Loved it as a youngling and love it as an oldling lol. I have it memorized but still will binge read/listen to it.

A lovely book

My daughters and I listened together and thoroughly enjoyed Heidi. Mr. McDonough is an amazing narrator.

Wholesome, old fashioned story of innocence

Well read, well paced. Nice translation of the original. The story aims to encourage and uplift and I feel it succeeds. It’s more based in faith and trust than modern stories, and shows the sense and sentiment of the late 1800, but in its essence it is timeless.

Absolutely WONDERFUL!!!!

This was indeed a pleasant listen of a movie that I watched as a child... or was it the book that I read? Either way, this audiobook is my absolute favourite rendition of the story. A story excellently written a equally excellently narrated.

I could hardly pause my listening pleasure, but alas, I had to sleep, and so finished it in two days. Love, agony, kindness, sadness, loneliness, jealousy, forgiveness, joy, and peace: family life lessons to treasure. I'm saving this one for my daughter! Well done team!