Else Ury's Nesthäkchen is a Berlin doctor's daughter, Annemarie Braun, a slim, golden blond, quintessential German girl.

[1] The first volume of the series, originally published by Meidingers Jugendschriften Verlag Berlin 1913, tells the story of Annemarie's early life.

Mother Elsbeth's sister Kate lives on an estate in Silesia, "Arnsdorf," with Uncle Henry and her children Ellie, Herbert and Peter.

Because Annemarie is a "higher daughter," she is not allowed to play with the other (socially subordinate) children in the courtyard and she spends most of her time with her dolls.

Annemarie visits her relatives on their estate, Arnsdorf, where the sheltered city child experiences the freedom of unsupervised play outdoors for the first time.

As Annemarie is bored at home, her mother sends her to a nursery school, a surprisingly modern choice in the early 20th century.

Kirkus Reviews [4] Annemarie is a spirited and lively child, similar to Der Trotzkopf (literally: "The Stubborn Head") of author Emmy von Rhoden.