When you're shopping for antiquarian collectible books, the biggest question is often the same: are you buying to display or buying to use? For anyone eyeing the 1978 volume of Children Are Children Are Children, that question is at the heart of it, because this is a vintage activity book rather than a decorative shelf piece.
Quick verdict
If you want a 1970s activity book that pairs geography with hands-on projects, this is a strong candidate. The listed price is USD 3.00, and the book is in near-mint condition with one notable caveat: the front cover has a single bend, there is minor scuffing, and a blue-pencil notation sits on the inside front page. If you can accept those flaws, the contents still deliver.
Who it suits
This 1978 volume suits parents, teachers, and caregivers who plan to actually do crafts with children. The activity approach covers Brazil, France, Iran, Japan, Nigeria, and the USSR, so it works well for a classroom or home setting that values cultural exploration. Strict collectors hunting for a flawless copy are less likely to be satisfied.
What stands out from the listed details
Children are Children Are Children by Cole, Haas, et al - 1978 1st Ed - NM
The most distinctive trait is the pairing of six countries with craft projects. This isn't a picture book to shelve; it's a working manual for creative learning. The one-color illustrations keep the visuals consistent, and the copy lies flat, which makes it easy to follow along with kids. Pages are sharp and clean, with the only mark being a blue-pencil note about where the book was bought. This is also a first edition and first printing from 1978, and the overall condition is near mint despite the small flaws.
Meaningful trade-offs
The first trade-off is condition. A blue-pencil notation and a bent cover mean this is not a pristine collectible. For someone who wants an unmarked shelf piece, that's a real drawback. For someone who plans to turn the pages and use the crafts, these flaws are minor. The second trade-off is the era: because this book was published in 1978, its cultural context and activity ideas are very much of that time. That's part of its appeal, but it's not current educational material.
At USD 3.00, the cost of entry is low enough that the risk is small. The final decision depends on whether you value a neat artifact or a usable source of projects.
Bottom line
The 1978 first edition of Children Are Children Are Children deserves a spot on your radar if you enjoy collectible books with a practical side. Its six-country craft approach gives it a clear purpose, and the condition details are specific enough to set expectations. That makes it a reasonable buy for parents and teachers. If you're a strict collector, pass; if you're someone who actually uses old books, this one is a find.
