Johanna Spyri's first book -- entitled "A Leaf on Vrony's Grave" -- was published in 1871. A year later she published a great pile of tales for both adults and children, among them the tale of Heidi that became an instant and enduring success. "Heidi, " the story of an orphan girl who lives with her grandfather in the Alps, is not only famous for its vivid portrayal of the landscape but also for its understanding of how children see life and their feelings.
This book, which features two of Spyri's shorter tales, "Moni the Goat-Boy" and "What Sami Sings with the Birds, " displays the charms of Spyri's work quite beautifully. Like all her work, these stories are not to be missed.