Heidi 10

Johanna Spyri’s
Heidi Retold by Katie Woolley

Illustrated by Ana Sender
9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 1 09/11/2018 10:24

ISBN: 9781510444133
Text, design and layout © 2019 Rising Stars UK Ltd
First published in 2019 by Rising Stars UK Ltd
Rising Stars UK Ltd, part of Hodder Education Group
An Hachette UK Company
Carmelite House 50 Victoria Embankment London EC4Y 0DZ
www.risingstars-uk.com
Impression number 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Author: Katie Woolley
Series Editor: Sasha Morton
Publisher: Helen Parker
Illustrator: Ana Sender/Plum Pudding Illustration
Editorial Consultant: Pauline Allen
Design concept: Helen Townson
Page layout: Sarah Garbett @ Sg Creative Services
Editorial Manager: Hamish Baxter
With thanks to the schools that took part in the development of Reading Planet KS2, including: Ancaster
CE Primary School, Ancaster; Downsway Primary School, Reading; Ferry Lane Primary School, London;
Foxborough Primary School, Slough; Griffin Park Primary School, Blackburn; St Barnabas CE First &
Middle School, Pershore; Tranmoor Primary School, Doncaster; and Wilton CE Primary School, Wilton.
All rights reserved. Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, no part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
and recording, or held within any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publisher or under licence from the Copyright Licensing Agency Limited. Further details of such
licences (for reprographic reproduction) may be obtained from the Copyright Licensing Agency Limited,
https://www.cla.co.uk/.
A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
Printed in the China
Orders: Please contact Bookpoint Ltd, 130 Park Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4SE.
Telephone: (44) 01235 400555. Email: primary@bookpoint.co.uk.

Contents
1 Up the mountain • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 4
2 Frankfurt • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 14
3 Home at last! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 21
4 Disaster • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 23
5 Visitors • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 27

1
Up the mountain
The sun shone on the grassy slopes as Heidi and her
aunt walked up the mountain. Heidi was five years old,
and had lived with her aunt since she was a baby. But
now, Aunt Dete had taken a job in a German city called
Frankfurt and she needed Heidi’s grandfather to look
after the little girl.
Grandfather lived high up in the Swiss Alps. He led a

quiet life, and only went down to the nearest village
when he had goat’s cheese to sell.

As Heidi and her aunt climbed up the steep slope, Heidi
spotted someone in the distance. It was a young
goat-herder. Heidi stopped to wave at the boy, but Aunt
Dete was impatient and had no time for such nonsense.
“Heidi, come quickly,” she called crossly.
Heidi sighed. When the cottage came into sight, she

couldn’t help but wonder what her grandfather would
be like.
“Do you think Grandfather will be pleased to meet me?”

Heidi asked her aunt for what must have been the tenth
time. Her aunt did not reply.
5 5

Heidi’s grandfather was sitting on a bench outside
his cottage. His hands were resting on his knees as he
watched the goats graze on the pasture. He was a tall
man with a long beard and big bushy eyebrows. Heidi
ran up to greet him.
“Hello, Grandfather,” she said.
Grandfather was most alarmed at having his peaceful

morning disturbed.
“Who are you?” he cried out in surprise. “What are you

doing here?”

“This is your granddaughter, Heidi,” said Aunt Dete.
“I’ve taken a job in Frankfurt so I’ve brought her to stay
with you for a while. She’ll be no trouble.”
“But …!” spluttered Grandfather as Aunt Dete briskly

hugged Heidi, then waved goodbye.
Heidi crept past her surprised grandfather and into the

cottage. She found a ladder in one corner that led to a
hayloft with views across the mountains. Heidi could
hear a stream trickling through the pasture and goats
bleating in the distance. She smiled.
This could be my bedroom! she thought. It’s perfect.
•••
Grandfather didn’t know what to do with Heidi at first.
How was an old man expected to look after a little girl?
To solve this problem, he sent her off to help Peter, the
goat-herder. Green hills and flowery meadows stretched
out as far as she could see. On the peaceful mountain
slopes, Peter waved his stick to keep the goats together,
while Heidi skipped along beside him.
77

Heidi and Peter soon became best friends, and spent
every day together. But when autumn came, so did
the snow. Peter could no longer herd his goats, and
was meant to attend the village school instead.
“I hate school,” complained Peter.
“Me too,” said Heidi (even though she had never been).

“Do you want to come with me to visit my
grandmother?” asked Peter. “She tells the best stories!”
Peter’s grandmother enjoyed having visitors because she

was blind and couldn’t leave her house. The old lady
remembered Grandfather as a boy, and Heidi loved to
hear tales about how mischievous he’d been.
What a shame he isn’t so much fun as a grown-up now, she

thought.
•••
To his surprise, Grandfather had begun to enjoy Heidi’s
company more and more. He even missed her when she
visited Peter’s grandmother every day. One bright,
snowy afternoon, as Heidi was leaving the cottage,
Grandfather had an idea. He pulled on his snow
boots and trudged through the heavy snow,
which blanketed the ground and reached
his knees.
“Wait a moment, Heidi,” he

called as he went inside an
old shed.

Grandfather soon returned carrying a large wooden
sledge that was twice as tall as he was! He plonked it
down on the snow with a heavy thud.
“Are you ready?” he asked Heidi, holding out a hand

with a smile.
Heidi’s eyes opened wide. What is Grandfather up to? she

wondered. Heidi sat carefully in front of Grandfather on
the sledge. He pushed backwards against the snow with
his sturdy boots and …
W h o o s h !
10

The sledge flew through the air like a bird. Then it
landed with a snowy bump before hurtling down the
mountain.
“Whee!” cried Heidi as the sledge came to a stop next to

Peter’s grandmother’s cottage. “That was fun!”
“It’s the best way to travel in this weather,” grinned

Grandfather. Heidi grinned back at him. “Come on, let’s
go and get warm,” he said.
Heidi had already grown to love her life in the

mountains. Now she realised she loved her grandfather,
and Peter and his grandmother as well.
She even loved the goats!
11

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and
months turned into years until, one day, the village
teacher visited Heidi’s cottage.
“It’s time Heidi went to school,” he announced.
Grandfather wasn’t pleased to see the teacher and, after

hearing what he had to say, sent him away. He wanted
nothing to do with the teacher or the other villagers.
Unfortunately, later that day, Aunt Dete returned too.
Grandfather wasn’t pleased to see her either.
“Heidi must come to Frankfurt,” she announced. “I’ve

arranged for her to be a companion to a little girl who is
recovering from an illness there.”
Heidi didn’t want to leave Grandfather so unexpectedly,

but she had no choice.
“Goodbye, Grandfather,” she whispered, brushing away

her tears. “I’ll miss you.”
Grandfather wasn’t used to showing his feelings to

anyone, but he pulled Heidi into a tight hug. His life was
going to feel very empty without her.
12

Before heading into his cottage, Grandfather turned to
Aunt Dete and snapped, “Make sure you take good care
of her.”
Silently, Aunt Dete packed up Heidi’s few belongings.

Within moments, the pair were hurrying down the
mountain to catch the next train to Frankfurt.
13

2
Frankfurt
In the schoolroom of a grand house in Frankfurt, Clara
Sesemann sat in her wheelchair, waiting for her new
companion to arrive. A deep, glass case filled with
interesting books and objects covered one wall. Usually,
this was Clara’s favourite room, but today she couldn’t
wait to leave it.
“When will she get here?” Clara grumbled impatiently.
The housekeeper, a stern-looking woman called Mrs

Rottenmeier, looked up from her knitting and glanced at
the clock. “Soon,” she said.
Just then, the doorbell rang, and Aunt Dete and Heidi
were shown into the cosy room.
“Hello,” said Heidi as she walked over to Clara.
14

“Hello,” Clara replied, looking closely at Heidi. “Exactly
how old are you?”
“I’m eight.” Heidi thought Clara looked very grown up.
“Eight!” gasped Clara. “Goodness, I’m twelve! How will

you keep up in my lessons? Can you read?”
“No, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not staying here long. I

already miss my own home too much,” Heidi replied.
15

But Heidi did stay that day, and the day after that.
Weeks passed, and while Mrs Rottenmeier thought Heidi
was too young and too silly to be a good companion,
Clara was delighted with her new friend.
Heidi liked Clara, but she hated Frankfurt. After living in

the mountains, the city felt dirty, smelly and very noisy.
One afternoon, while Clara rested, Heidi crept out of the
front door and ran down the street to a tall bell tower.
Surely from there she would be able to see the Alps
again? But when she got to the very top, her smile faded
and her eyes welled with tears.
“Oh no,” she cried. In front

of her, Frankfurt stretched
out for miles and miles.
There were no mountains
to be seen.
Sadly, Heidi turned to walk

back down the stairs. Suddenly,
she noticed a basket in the corner of the tower. Lifting
the lid, she found three furry kittens inside! Perhaps
having a pet would make the city seem more bearable …
16

Unfortunately, Mrs Rottenmeier hated animals. She took
one look at the kittens – which Heidi had hidden under
the dining room table – and shooed them away. That
night, Heidi cried herself to sleep even more bitterly.
•••
A few weeks later, there was great excitement in the
Sesemann household because Clara’s Grandma
Sesemann had come to stay.
“Grandma, this is Heidi,” said Clara. She was very

happy to introduce her grandmother to her only friend.
“Hello, Heidi. Clara has told me all about you,” said

Grandma Sesemann kindly. “I hope you like it here in
Frankfurt?”
Heidi smiled and nodded politely, but on the inside she

felt miserable. She was so homesick she felt as though
her heart was breaking.
17

Grandma Sesemann could see Heidi was
unhappy, so she gave the little girl a storybook
to cheer her up. She set about teaching Heidi
to read, but one of the tales about a shepherd
looking after his sheep made Heidi feel even
more homesick.
As the days went by, Heidi grew thin and pale.

At night, the only thing she dreamed of was
returning to the mountains.
18

One morning, Sebastian, the Sesemanns’ butler, came
downstairs to find the front door wide open. The next
morning the same thing happened. The following night,
he kept watch to find out what was going on. Just after
midnight, a breeze blew out his candle.
“Who’s there?” Sebastian called, rushing into the hall to

find the front door open. A ghostly figure stood on the
stairs, but in the blink of an eye it vanished.
Dear Herr Sesemann,

There is a ghost in the house.
We are all
ver y frightened. Plea se come
home at once.
Yours,
Mrs Rottenmeier
19

Herr Sesemann arrived home that night. The front door
opened as the clock struck one. Moonlight streamed into
the hallway and fell upon the figure of a little girl in a
white nightgown. Straight away, Herr Sesemann realised
who the ghost was.
“What are you doing out of bed,

Heidi?” he asked in surprise.
“I … I don’t know,” she

whimpered. “Every
night I dream of the
mountains. I run
to the door to meet
Grandfather, but
when I wake up I’m
still in Frankfurt,” she
sobbed.
“Hush now, try to sleep,”

whispered Herr Sesemann
as he tucked her back into bed. “Everything will be all
right in the morning.”
20

3
Home at last!
Herr Sesemann couldn’t bear the thought that the little
girl living in his home was so unhappy. He would find
another companion for Clara, and Heidi would return to
her grandfather that very afternoon!
Heidi rushed about excitedly, packing up her belongings

as quickly as she could.
“I’ll miss you,” said Clara, giving her friend a hug.
“Don’t worry, Clara,” said Herr Sesemann. “I promise

you can visit Heidi soon.”
It wasn’t long before Heidi found herself on the first

part of her journey home. The steam train whistled and
huffed out of the platform, and soon the gentle sway of
the carriage sent Heidi into a peaceful sleep at last.
21

Heidi woke to a voice calling out the name of her
station. After a short but bumpy horse and cart ride,
Heidi said goodbye to Sebastian and set off on foot up
the mountain. She was grinning from ear to ear as she
headed towards Grandfather’s cottage to surprise him,
just as she had done three years before.
The old man was sitting outside on his bench, but he

jumped to his feet when he saw Heidi, and ran down the
hill to meet her.
“You’re home!” he cried, swinging her up into the air.

“How I have missed you, Heidi!”
“I’m never leaving you again, Grandfather,” Heidi

whispered.
That night, as Heidi sank into her little bed in the hayloft
and looked out at the mountains, she felt happy for the
first time in a long time.
22

4
Disaster!
Dear Clara,
Is it snow ing in Frankfur t? We have so much
snow here in the mountains. Grandfather
and I are living in the village for the winter
so I can go to school ever y day. I’m learning
lots of new things but I do miss Peter and his
grandmother.
Will you come and visit me when spring
arrives?
Love from your friend,
Heidi
23

One spring day, as Heidi looked out of Grandfather’s
cottage, she saw Grandma Sesemann riding a big, white
horse up the mountain path. Two men walked behind,
carrying someone in a chair. Heidi knew who it was
straight away!
“Grandma can’t stop, but I’m going to stay for a few

weeks,” announced Clara, her eyes dancing with
excitement. “I can’t wait to explore!”
Clara loved the mountains as much as Heidi. However,

Peter was frustrated that Heidi was spending all of her
time with Clara. He wanted his best friend back.
Every day, Grandfather lifted Clara out of her chair and

encouraged her to stand. At first, Clara wobbled and cried
out in fear, but she quickly grew stronger and stronger.
One morning, Grandfather left Clara’s wheelchair outside
before going into the cottage to make breakfast. Peter was
on his way up to the goats in the pasture when he saw it.
With an angry shove, he pushed Clara’s chair down the
mountain where it smashed to pieces on the rocks below.
If Clara can’t use her chair, she’ll go back to Frankfurt

and things can return to normal,
he thought.
24

But Clara didn’t go back to Frankfurt. Later that day,
Grandfather carried Clara up to the pasture while Heidi
hurried along beside them. She gave Peter a quizzical
glance.
“Peter, do you know what happened to Clara’s chair?”

she called.
Grandfather set Clara down gently on to the grass.
“It’s broken into pieces!” wailed Clara. “I won’t be able

to pick flowers without my chair!”
Peter just shook his head, and no one seemed

to notice his red face and restless feet.
“It’s okay, Clara,” smiled Heidi.

She was trying to cheer Clara
up. “Peter and I can help you.”
25

Peter couldn’t refuse. He reluctantly supported Clara as
Heidi helped her to take a tentative step. Then another.
And another. Before she knew it, Clara had walked all
the way to the flowers!
“You did it!” cried Heidi.
Clara beamed at her friends. Even Peter smiled, but

although he felt very guilty, he still didn’t confess to
breaking Clara’s wheelchair.
Dear Grandma Sesemann,

an d I ar e h av in g a lo ve ly ti me in
Clara
says will
the mountains. Grandfather
?
you plea se come and visit soon
Love from,
Heidi
26

5
Visitors
When Grandma Sesemann arrived, she couldn’t believe
the change in her granddaughter!
“Clara, is that you?” she cried when she saw Clara sitting
outside in the fresh air. “Your cheeks are so rosy! And
you’re not in your chair!”
“Hello, Grandma,” said Clara as she rose to her feet.
Grandma Sesemann gasped in disbelief. She

looked over at Heidi and Grandfather with tears
of joy in her eyes. “Thank you,” she smiled as
she hugged her granddaughter. “I must write
to Clara’s father and tell him to come at once.
You have helped make her well again!”
“It wasn’t us, it was the mountains!”

laughed Heidi.
•••
27

Herr Sesemann checked his watch and continued to walk
up the mountain to Grandfather’s cottage. Soon, he saw a
young girl walking towards him. It wasn’t Heidi, but surely
it couldn’t be …
“Papa, don’t you recognise me?” asked Clara.
Herr Sesemann stopped in his tracks and reached a hand

out to stroke his daughter’s cheek. She looked so healthy
and happy!
“Are you really my Clara?” he exclaimed.
At that moment, Grandma Sesemann spotted Peter hiding

behind the trees.
28

“Peter, come and meet Clara’s father,” she called.
Peter hurried towards the group.
“I did it, sir,” Peter blurted out when he reached the cottage.
“Did what, boy?” asked Herr Sesemann.
“I pushed Clara’s chair down the mountain,” he said.

“I was jealous that Heidi was spending so much time
with Clara, but I’m very sorry now. I was wrong.”
Peter turned to Clara.
“Can you forgive me?” he asked.
29

Clara looked at Peter for a long moment, which made him
squirm uncomfortably. Finally, Clara’s face broke into a big
smile. “Of course I can, Peter. You helped me get better!”
she said.
Peter smiled back, and Grandfather invited everyone into

the cottage for some tea. After years of loneliness, his
home had become a happy, bustling place. The afternoon
passed quickly, and soon it was time for Clara, Grandma
Sesemann and Herr Sesemann to return to Frankfurt.
“Will you come back soon?” asked Heidi.
“We’ll be back next year,” Herr Sesemann promised.

“This mountain air has been good for all of us!”
As Heidi’s friends made their way down the mountain,

Heidi looked up at her grandfather.
“I can’t wait to have even more adventures with Clara

and Peter!” she smiled.
“They’ll always be welcome here, Heidi,” replied

Grandfather. “You’ve brought our home back to life.”
And together, Heidi and Grandfather went inside their

cottage in the mountains … where there was peace and
quiet at last.
30

31

Now answer the questions …
1 Which two places is this story mostly set in?
2 Who are the main characters in the book?
3 What does the word ‘unexpectedly’ mean in the

sentence, ‘Heidi didn’t want to leave Grandfather so
unexpectedly, but she had no choice.’
4 In the story, Heidi dreams about the mountains when

she is in Frankfurt. Why do you think this is?
5 Why do you think the author used letters sent between

different characters to tell some parts of the story?
6 What did you expect Herr Sesemann would do after

seeing how unhappy Heidi was at the end of Chapter 2?
Was your prediction correct?
7 How do Grandfather’s feelings for Heidi change

between the start and the end of the story? Use
evidence from the text to explain your answer.
8 Would you prefer to live in a town or in the mountains?

Give reasons for your choice.
32

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Heidi 10

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Johanna Spyri’s

Heidi Retold by Katie Woolley

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 1 09/11/2018 10:24

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 2 09/11/2018 10:24

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 3 09/11/2018 10:24

Grandfather lived high up in the Swiss Alps. He led a

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 4 09/11/2018 10:24

“Heidi, come quickly,” she called crossly.

Heidi sighed. When the cottage came into sight, she

“Do you think Grandfather will be pleased to meet me?”

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 5 09/11/2018 10:24

“Hello, Grandfather,” she said.

Grandfather was most alarmed at having his peaceful

“Who are you?” he cried out in surprise. “What are you

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 6 09/11/2018 10:24

“But …!” spluttered Grandfather as Aunt Dete briskly

Heidi crept past her surprised grandfather and into the

This could be my bedroom! she thought. It’s perfect.

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 7 09/11/2018 10:24

“I hate school,” complained Peter.

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 8 09/11/2018 10:24

Peter’s grandmother enjoyed having visitors because she

What a shame he isn’t so much fun as a grown-up now, she

“Wait a moment, Heidi,” he

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 9 09/11/2018 10:24

“Are you ready?” he asked Heidi, holding out a hand

Heidi’s eyes opened wide. What is Grandfather up to? she

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 10 09/11/2018 10:24

“Whee!” cried Heidi as the sledge came to a stop next to

“It’s the best way to travel in this weather,” grinned

Heidi had already grown to love her life in the

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 11 09/11/2018 10:24

“It’s time Heidi went to school,” he announced.

Grandfather wasn’t pleased to see the teacher and, after

“Heidi must come to Frankfurt,” she announced. “I’ve

Heidi didn’t want to leave Grandfather so unexpectedly,

“Goodbye, Grandfather,” she whispered, brushing away

Grandfather wasn’t used to showing his feelings to

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 12 09/11/2018 10:24

Silently, Aunt Dete packed up Heidi’s few belongings.

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 13 09/11/2018 10:24

“When will she get here?” Clara grumbled impatiently.

The housekeeper, a stern-looking woman called Mrs

“Hello,” said Heidi as she walked over to Clara.

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 14 09/11/2018 10:24

“I’m eight.” Heidi thought Clara looked very grown up.

“Eight!” gasped Clara. “Goodness, I’m twelve! How will

“No, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not staying here long. I

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 15 09/11/2018 10:24

Heidi liked Clara, but she hated Frankfurt. After living in

“Oh no,” she cried. In front

Sadly, Heidi turned to walk

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 16 09/11/2018 10:24

“Grandma, this is Heidi,” said Clara. She was very

“Hello, Heidi. Clara has told me all about you,” said

Heidi smiled and nodded politely, but on the inside she

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 17 09/11/2018 10:24

As the days went by, Heidi grew thin and pale.

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 18 09/11/2018 10:24

“Who’s there?” Sebastian called, rushing into the hall to

Dear Herr Sesemann,

9781510444133_RP_KS2_Heidi_FINALS_indd.indd 19 09/11/2018 10:24

“What are you doing out of bed,

“I … I don’t know,” she