Love the art, love the message for kids, something I would read when babysitting or to my own future kids

Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for providing an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

My son and I read this together and enjoyed it! It is an adorable and sweet book about friendship among tiny humans from different families, cultures, abilities. We're all different and that's beautiful.

I'd recommend this book to any parent with little ones, and to classroom libraries.

I love the author's explanation of her choice of 9 little people. This book is a beautiful ode to a generation of littles who can grow up to be more empathetic and diverse than ever. The diverse representation in this book as well as the rhythm reminiscent of “Everywhere Babies” make for the perfect read aloud for little kids to engage in and explore.

"9 Little People" is a story that follows nine children from diverse backgrounds and cultures
as they grow up together and form a lifelong friendship. I liked that this story is about bringing everyone together and also celebrating differences. The rhymes were sweet and fun to read aloud to my toddlers, and the illustrations were vibrant and eye-catching. The short story is probably most appropriate for children ages 0-2, but this is a book that everyone from all walks of life can enjoy. Overall, a great children's book!

Thank you to NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 Stars ⭐️

9 Little People is an absolutely heartwarming and essential read for children. This beautifully illustrated story follows nine little people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, reminding us that while we may all look different, we’re all sharing this world together. It delivers a powerful and timely message: no matter where we come from or what we look like, we can be best friends and show love to one another.

As an elementary school teacher, I can confidently say this will be a must-have in my classroom. It’s the kind of book that not only engages young readers but also sparks meaningful conversations about empathy, inclusion, and kindness. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is really good for younger kids. It is super simple but I love that it represents different ethnicities and that all people can do the same thing no matter how different they are.

9 Little People is a heartfelt ode to childhood, identity, and friendship. Regina Feldmann’s gentle rhymes introduce nine children born on the same day, each nurtured in different families, each endlessly unique—and yet all united in friendship, belonging, and shared joy.

Martina Stuhlberger’s warm, richly textured art showcases diverse skin tones, and a variety of family structures, all of which invites a slow, deep look.

In her author’s note, Feldmann explains her choice to feature nine children instead of the traditional ten—a decision inspired by her own child’s thoughtful question: “Why does it always have to be ten?” It’s a poignant reminder that completeness isn’t about numbers, but about inclusion. Her reflection also acknowledges the painful legacy of older rhymes and how this book aims to undo some of that harm, particularly toward Black and Indigenous communities.

Verdict: A thoughtful, loving rethink of childhood norms—smart, subtle, and full of heart.

Lovely colour palette, great rhyming. I loved the rhythm of the book and how we saw all the children developing over time. Great representation and diversity.

Such a lovely book!
I read this to my kids (5yo and 1 yo) and they liked it very much.
And the illustrations are soooo cute.

we really liked this book, this is a sweet and inclusive book. because it talks about friendship, family; you will find about empathy, love.
You will see how the kids -different for another- grow up and changes together.
This book shows how each family is different, how everyone is different from each one, and how important is every single one.

Thank you Regina Feldmann, Martina Stuhlberger (illustrator), NorthSouth Books and NetGalley for sending the ARC of this book.

A tender celebration of friendship, family and the magic of growing up together.

Like a warm patchwork quilt stitched from love, laughter, and the colours of childhood, 9 Little People is a beautifully illustrated ode to the joy of togetherness. Regina Feldmann's sweet, rhyming prose and Martina Stuhlberger's luminous illustrations come together in perfect harmony, telling the story of nine children born on the same day – nine little lives destined to intertwine.

Feldmann's narration sings with simplicity and warmth. Her words capture the little joys and big emotions that we think shape childhood: scraped knees, silly giggles, whispered dreams and comforting hugs. There is a gentle musicality in the language that makes it a delight to read aloud, inviting both children and adults into the circle of friendship she so lovingly draws.

And then there are the illustrations – oh, the illustrations! Martina Stuhlberger fills each page with a rainbow of detail: playful city parks, cosy kitchens and dream filled bedrooms. Each of the nine children is thoughtfully drawn with individual quirks and expressions, making it easy for young readers to spot themselves or their friends within these pages. The art celebrates diversity not just in culture and appearance, but in personality, joyfully reinforcing the message that we all belong.

At its heart, 9 Little People is a celebration of what binds us and what makes us unique. It is a luminous celebration of lifelong friendship. It reminds us that the best stories begin when we grow not just side by side but heart to heart. It's a gentle, glowing reminder that the world is brighter when we grow together, when we accept one another wholly and when we choose to love with open arms and open hearts.

I am an elementary teacher and have taught everywhere from newborn (daycare) all the way to 6th grade. I think this is a perfect book for preschool and the early elementary grades! We are always trying to hard to find books that show diversity in all aspects (race, ethnicity, ability, etc.) and this book showcases all of those differences at once. I think this is a wonderful story that children everywhere can see themselves included in. The illustrations were beautiful to go along with the words.

I wish my little ones were older so I could share this book with them. They would absolutely love the playful illustrations—especially the pages featuring a pool, a park, and a scene with little people and a dog.
Regina Feldmann has written a lovely story about the everyday life of newborns and toddlers. It gently builds a sense of routine, celebrates the richness of diversity (extra 1000 bonus points from me for featuring twins—my girls would be thrilled to see the same big stroller they ride in!), and beautifully highlights the joy of being part of a community.
If you're looking for a sweet, inclusive story to share with your little ones, this book is a wonderful pick. It’s not just charming—it’s thoughtful, relatable, and full of heart.

This short picture book is a celebration of diversity! The pictures are colorful, the message is warm and joyful. I enjoyed the rhyming and found it very readable. This is a solid pick for a baby shower gift for a new infant arrival.

"9 little people," is a sweetly illustrated book about 9 little people born on a single day. These are any 9 children who share the same birthday. Each uniquely experiencing typical childhood joys. A lovely book to encourage discussion for even the youngest little people.

This was a sweet book for children. I think it opens the way for empathy and also the idea of sharing. I think many people don't see this, but in society's parenting, overly teaching children that their birthday is all about them breeds a sense of narcissism. From a young age, I was taught that yes, my birthday was about me, but I wanted people (even if it was just family) to celebrate too, which in turn made it about them as well. This made me grow up to be someone who loved everyone's birthday and wanted to make them feel special on their birthday, as well as my own. So I was not upset when I had a birthday twin, but excited. I think this teaches children that you can share a birthday date with someone and still be unique and special. It also opened up conversations for children on different family units and parental situations.

This was an adorable children’s book, especially for younger kids.
I read this together with my 3 kids (9, 7 and 4) and they all thought it was very cute, but especially the 4-year old was the most excited one of the 3.
The drawings are beautiful, lots of colors and many things to see on each page. It’s also very nice to see a lot of different children in the book from different races, backgrounds and families. It gives a better view of how the world really is. The heart behind the book really highlights friendship and loving each other, no matter what color/race/social status you are.
The one remark I have was that the story itself wasn’t very dense, I was missing a little bit more storytelling or teaching and then the message got a little watered down throughout the book. But I suppose that’s also a good opportunity for the parents or people reading the story to kids to add that extra element to the experience.
3,5🌟

Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books Inc. for giving me an early copy of this book to enjoy with my family in exchange for my honest opinion.

9 Little People is a beautiful story about nine children born on the same day. They have so much in common, and yet each one of them is unique and special. This book is a lovely celebration of joy and friendship.

I really enjoyed it and so did my three-year-old daughter. We read it together, and she loved the illustrations; they’re so beautifully done.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This children's book is perfect for 0-5, maybe even a bit older if you're finding they need to learn and acknowledge inclusivity. It is 9 children born the same day from different families but all in the same location. They get along and do activities together. It's very sweet. The rhyming is perfect, very melodic for a right before bed or nap story. I can see it becoming a favorite quickly. The illustrations are very cute and perfect for this book.
Thank you, NetGalley, Regina Feldmann, and NorthSouth Books Inc. for this advanced reader’s copy, I enjoyed reading it with my youngest!

9 Little People by Regina Feldmann is a joyful celebration of individuality, imagination, and the quiet magic found in everyday moments. With gentle prose and playful illustrations the book introduces us to nine unique children, each with their own distinct personalities, quirks, and dreams, all born on the same day. From the curious to the cautious, the wild to the shy, every child is lovingly portrayed as wholly themselves, reminding readers that there is no one way to be a young person in this big, wondrous world. There's a poetic quality to the storytelling that honors both the smallness and vastness of childhood. This picture book is a quiet gem. Perfect for classroom conversations about self-expression. 9 Little People reminds us that every child, in all their complexity, deserves to be seen.

Thank you NorthSouth Books Inc. -- NorthSouth Books for allowing me to read and review 9 Little People by Regina Feldmann on NetGalley.

Published: 09/02/25

Stars: 2.5

I found the illustrations difficult to follow and the story repetitious. I did read 9 Little People on my tablet and after going over the book a second time I don't think a physical book would help me (sometimes it does).

The author does have a nice Author's Note where she explains her thinking.