Spyri is the Swiss writer whose story for children, Heidi, is known all over the world. Her psychological insight into the child mind, her humor, and her ability to enter into childish joys and sorrows give her books attraction and lasting value. Maxa's Children begins: For nearly twenty years the ancient castle had stood on the heights silent and forsaken. Not a sound was to be heard except the twittering of the birds and the rustling of the old pine trees surrounding it. In former days, the swallows darted about the corner turrets on summer evenings, but now no happy faces looked down from the balconies to the green meadows and the laden apple trees in the valley. But at this moment two merry eyes gazed expectantly from the meadow toward the old castle as though able to see through the closely fastened shutters.