Friday 29 November 2019

ReadItDaddy's First Book of the Week - Week Ending 29th November 2019: "Heidi" by Johanna Spuri, Jeanne Willis and Briony May Smith (Nosy Crow)

"Aww, poor Heidi!" - This was at one time one of my wife's childhood catchphrases, as her mum read to her this well-loved children's classic nestling into our Book of the Week slot this week.

"Heidi" by Johanna Spyri, retold here by Jeanne Willis with gorgeous new illustrations from blog fave Briony May Smith is much, much more than just a lovely edition of a classic book. It's a book that comes to life as you read, a tale that speaks of idyllic childhood days spent in the crisp clear air of the mountains, but also a twinge of tragedy as Heidi is taken away from her loving grandparents to live in the city.

Missing the mountain life, her goats and her best friend Peter, it's not long before Heidi manages to make a new friend. But there's always a dream of returning to the mountains at the back of her mind. Will Heidi get her most heartfelt wish? 

Just bathe in this glorious edition's illos. I mean just look at 'em!

Heidi's new life in the bustling city of Frankfurt is a far cry from her beginnings in the mountains.
Jeanne's sensitive retelling of the story is compelling, exciting and sure to win over a whole new generation of Heidi fans. 

"Grumpy" Grandpa isn't so grumpy after all. 
Sum this book up in a sentence: A gorgeous edition of a classic story, beautifully designed to become a well-loved keepsake for many years to come, and given due homage by super-skilled Jeanne and Briony. 

"Heidi" by Johanna Spyri, Jeanne Willis and Briony May Smith is out now, published by Nosy Crow (kindly supplied for review).