Spokane Children's Theatre

Study Guide: HEIDI

Biography of Heidi Author Johanna Spyri

Johanna Spyri was born Johanna Louise Heusser on June 12, 1827, in Zurich, Switzerland. She was the fourth of six children. As Johanna grew up, she helped to raise both of her younger sisters. She spent several summers in the area around Chur, Switzerland, including the town of Maienfeld.

In 1852, Johanna married Johann Bernard Spyri, a lawyer and newspaper editor. Johanna and Johann lived in the city, and were very popular among writers and artists. Even though Johanna was surrounded by friends, she was very lonely in the city.

Johanna's first story, "A Leaf on Vrony's Grave," appeared in 1871, but was credited only to J.S. Between 1872 and 1873, Johanna published several stories for adults, which were reminiscent of her own youth. Johanna's first stories for children were published in the book Heimathlos (Homeless) in 1878. Between 1879 and 1884, Johanna had her greatest creative burst. During this time, she wrote 20 stories. Some were for children, some were for young girls, and some were for adults. Also during this time, Johanna went to stay with her former school friend in Jenins, a town near Maienfeld. This visit inspired her to write Heidi.

Heidi first appeared in 1880, with the title Heidi's Years of Apprenticeship and Travel. Like all of Johanna's works, the story was credited to "The Author of a Leaf on Vrony's Grave." It was an immediate success. Johanna continued writing about Heidi in 1881, with the story Heidi Applies What She Has Learned. For the first time, Johanna Spyri's name was on the publication.

Between 1886 and 1901, Johanna published many more stories, bringing her total up to 48. By this time, she was back to living in Zurich; her son and husband had both died in 1884. Johanna herself died in 1901, after a long writing career. She was buried in her family grave site in Zurich.

Make Butter!

In the play, Peter teaches Heidi to churn butter. But you don't need a churn or a goat to make your own butter! Very little equipment is needed to have your very own homemade butter, but you do need nimble arms to shake shake shake! The whole process takes about 20 minutes, the majority of the time is shaking. Some instructions are online at instructables.com.

Make a Story Mountain!

Traditionally called a Story Pyramid, you can create a shape poem in the form of Heidi's beloved Alps and see the different elements that make up the story of Heidi. Follow the directions below to make your own.

Story Mountain
1. ________
Name of a major character
2. ________ ________
Two words describing that character
3. ________ ________ ________
Three words describing the setting
4. ________ ________ ________ ________
Four words stating the problem in the story
5. ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Five words describing one event
6. ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Six words describing a second event
7. ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Seven words describing the third event
8.__________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __________ ________
Eight words describing the solution in the story

Here's an example:

Heidi
Friendly Independent
Maienfeld, Alps, Switzerland
Who is her family
Moves in with her grandfather
Goes to live with Cousin Clara
Returns to her friends goats and Alps
Grandfather, Clara, and Peter are all Heidi's family
Heidi helped Clara, Grandfather, and Peter have fun together
Compare your story mountain with others made by friends or classmates.