One of the best-selling books ever written, âHeidiâ is an 1881 children's novel written by Johanna Spyri. The story centres around the life of a 5 year old girl who lives with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps. A charming tale of innocence and youth âfor children and those who love children", âHeidiâ is not to be missed by fans and collectors of classic children's literature. Johanna Louise Spyri (1827â1901) was a Swiss author best remembered for her best-selling children's stories. Other notable works by this author include: âToni, the Little Woodcarverâ (1890), âErick and Sallyâ (1891), and âMäzliâ (1891). Read & Co. Children's is proudly republishing this classic novel now in a new edition complete with a specially-commissioned biography of the author.