Who is Heidi?
A best-selling children's book - 'Heidi' is one of the best-selling books ever written. A work of children's fiction, it was first published in the German language in 1880–81 as two volumes.
Johanna Spyri (1827–1901) -
The book was written by Johanna Spyri, a Swiss author of novels, notably children's stories. She completed the novel in four weeks.
A brief synopsis -
The title character is a five-year-old orphan who is sent by her aunt Dete to the Swiss mountains to live with her grumpy paternal grandfather.
The story develops -
Heidi's cheerfulness and good nature endears her to her new neighbors, including Peter, a young goatherd, and his blind maternal grandmother.
A new chapter -
Three years later, Dete returns to the mountain village and takes Heidi to Frankfurt to be educated by the wealthy Sesemann family.
The many languages of Heidi -
Between 1882 and 1959, 13 distinct English translations were produced, five by British translators and eight by American translators.
'Heidi' on the big screen -
An early film adaptation of the novel was the American musical drama 'Heidi,' released in 1937. The movie stars Shirley Temple as the titular orphan.
'Heidi' (1937) -
The picture is loosely based on Johanna Spyri's children's book. Danish-American actor Jean Hersholt portrayed Heidi's grandfather.
Heidi at home -
The Shirly Temple picture did wonders for book sales in the United States, with kids suddenly made aware of Heidi and the novel's alpine setting.
'Heidi' (1952) -
In 1952 the German-language film 'Heidi' brought to the big screen a more faithful adaptation of the novel.
'Heidi' (1968) -
In 1968 an American made-for-television film version of the novel became one of the most notorious screen adaptations ever broadcast.
History is made -
With just 65 seconds left to play, NBC cut away from the game to screen the previously scheduled 'Heidi.' At that point the Jets were leading 32-29.
'Heidi, Girl of the Alps' (1974) -In 1974 a Japanese anime television series titled 'Heidi, Girl of the Alps' elevated the tale of the little orphan girl into a global phenomenon.
'Heidi, bienvenida a casa' (2017–2019) - Argentinian actress and singer Chiara Francia embraced the role of Heidi in the telenovela 'Heidi, bienvenida a casa.'
Maienfeld, Switzerland -
'Heidi' is set in the idyllic Swiss Alps, in and around the village of Maienfeld in the Canton of Graubünden.
Cultural currency -
Heidi's cultural currency extends to a special commemorative CHF 50 Swiss franc coin minted in 2001 depicting the character herding a goat.
Sweet taste of success -
Switzerland's chocolate enjoy a well-deserved reputation as being among the highest quality candy in the world.
Stamp of approval -
And what better way to promote the Heidi story than by reproducing her image on a postage stamp, affixed to parcels and letters mailed around the globe.