Heidi

After the death of her parents, five-year-old Heidi lives with her aunt Dete, who sends her to her grandfather, a recluse known as the "Old Man of the Alps", in a mountain hut above the village of Dörfli. Despite her grandfather's reserved character, Heidi wins him over with her cheerfulness and joy. She lives a simple life, enjoying nature, spending time with the shepherd Peter and his goats. Her love of the mountains and freedom is the central theme of the novel.

When she turns eight, Aunt Dete takes Heidi to Frankfurt, where she becomes a companion to the sick Klara, the daughter of the wealthy Sesemann. In the city, Heidi longs for the Alps, suffering from homesickness and the strict rules of the house. Her sincerity and warmth touch Klara and her family, but her health deteriorates. Eventually, she is returned to her grandfather, where she recovers. Klara visits the Alps, where the fresh air and Heidi's support help her health, enabling her to walk.

The novel celebrates the beauty of nature, the simplicity of country life, and the power of childlike kindness. Spyri highlights the contrast between the freedom of nature and the constraints of city life, promoting the values of friendship, compassion, and family.