Heidi (Great Illustrated Classics)

Heidi is a classic children's book first published in 1881 in Germany by Swiss author Johanna Spyri in two parts: Heidi: Her Years of Wandering and Learning, and Heidi: How She Used What She Learned. Subtitled: "Geschichten für Kinder wie auch für Solche, Welche Kinder lieb haben von Johanna Spyri” Stories for children as well as those that love children by Johanna Spyri). It is one of the best-selling books ever written, and one of the best-known pieces of Swiss literature.

Heidi tells the story of the namesake orphan brought to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. Her cheery attitude wins the heart of her grumpy grandfather, the friendship of a goatherd Peter and his family, and the friendship of Clara, an city-dwelling invalid who later regains her mobility after visiting Heidi in the mountains.

The first edition, published anonymously by F.A. Perthes in Gotha, Germany in two volumes, had a decorative cover but no illustrations within the books. Subsequent editions added multiple illustrations.

Louise Windsor Brooks was Heidi's first English translator, and retained the title Heidi: Her Years of Wandering and Yearning, for both volumes, published by De Wolfe, Fiske in Boston in 1884. A two volume set entitled Heidi’s Early Experiences and Heidi’s Further Experiences was published in London is 1884, but is 'virtually unattainable.'

The first complete American Edition of the one volume Heidi was published in 1885 by Cupples, Upham, & Company, in Boston. The original book is in gold cloth with the publishers catalogue at the end.