read it yourself: Heidi – Johanna Spyri, Fran Hunia

Description: Spyri's classic tale from the Austrian Alps is retold by Fran Hunia using simple language and large text in this lovely edition.

Beautiful, colour illustrations (the vast majority of which are full-page) bring the story to life. Pastedowns and endpapers are decorated with a stunning colour chinoiserie peacock and butterflies.

Matt pictorial boards are worn along their edges. Spine and corners bumped and rubbed – the former has lost a small piece of its head and spine. Remains of a large (6½ cm × 4 cm) holographic sticker affixed to rear board. Several pages have grubby marks (one or two have minor water staining), and the vast majority are lightly creased from handling. Nevertheless, all pages are free from foxing and tanning. Binding is tight.

Whilst the rear board shows The Magic Paintbrush (also published in 1979) as being the last title available, the price of 50p is not in line with that found on Ladybird books at the time, making it difficult to ascertain whether this is a genuine first edition.

Measures 17.5 cm × 11.5 cm (7″ × 4.6″). 12mo. 51 pp.

Price: £3.50