Since we are in the digital age, many people wonder if children’s books are worth anything. Libraries are closing due to the low demand for books, and digital copies are beginning to take over. Seeing as this is the case, you may be questioning how children’s stories could be valuable.
Some children’s books are worth something. Considering the condition, age, and rarity of the book, children’s books from earlier years can be incredibly valuable (especially classics). Children’s books not only have monetary value, they also harbor critical memories and can be passed down.
You are reading: Value of old childrens books
Stories can promote social and moral development, so exposing children to certain books will develop their emotional intelligence and IQ during their formative years. In this article, I’ll explain in more detail the monetary value of children’s books and why they are worth more than their monetary value.
how much are children’s books worth?
Children’s books are sometimes worth hundreds of dollars. when the popularity of a book decreases, the price increases. the most valuable books are those that are almost out of print or are no longer in print. the rarity, age and condition of the books make the price go up or down.
Although most children’s books aren’t that valuable, some people consider vintage children’s books to be collectible, so they’re willing to pay good money for them if you want to sell yours.
according to the sun, some of the most valuable children’s books include:
- the giving tree, by shel silverstein (1964)- $4726
- where the wild things are, by maurice sendak (1963)- $6890
- the cat in the hat, by dr. seuss (1957)-$1125
- the tiger that came to tea by judith kerr (1968)-$866
- the polar express by chris van allsburg (1985)-$643
- julia donaldson’s gruffalo (1999)- $218
- watty piper’s little engine that could (1930)- $177
what to consider if you want to sell your children’s books
If you want to sell your old children’s books, you’ll need to look at them and find out how rare and valuable they might be on the market. For the most part, vintage books in mint condition will sell the best and make the most profit. however, it is not always possible to find a rare book in excellent condition.
consider what condition the book is in
Not everyone will be willing to buy a book that has worn out. however, if your book is already quite valuable, a little age or markings on the pages will only lower the price a little. still, if the pages have elaborate crayon drawings and smudges, your book may not fetch the ideal price.
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pen or crayon marks, torn pages, and stains of any kind will reduce the value of any book.
however, since this is a children’s story and is likely to be quite old, imperfections are unavoidable and expected in an old book. Books in the best condition are the ones you should consider selling.
However, be sure not to sell a water-damaged book with missing pages, as this can seriously affect its value.
If you find a buyer willing to buy your book in less than perfect condition, you’ve hit the jackpot. You can search ebay, amazon, or check with a private buyer to see how much your books are worth and how much people are willing to pay.
research the rarity and age of the book
Find out if the book you want to sell is still in print or not. Out-of-print books such as Garth Williams and Jane Warner’s The Great Golden Book of Elves and Fairies (1951) are no longer being published.
Out of print books are rare and often hard to find unless digital copies are available, and the longer a book has been out of print, the more difficult it is to acquire a print copy. that rarity is what will drive the price up.
The age of a book is a determining factor of its value. books over 50 years old are generally considered old. however, keep in mind that just because a book is old doesn’t mean it’s valuable, and a book’s age is only one factor in determining its value.
another aspect you can consider is the importance of the book. if it’s a popular or highly sought after collectible volume, there’s a good chance you can make quite a bit of money on it.
how can a child benefit from reading?
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Books that flopped when they were first released to the public will never be valuable. That’s because the demand for these books is likely to be non-existent. however, the books that have become children’s reading staples are the most valuable, as they offer the greatest benefits to the children who read them.
A child can benefit from reading as it is a form of entertainment that can broaden a person’s knowledge and understanding of the world. Reading can strengthen a child’s writing skills and increase her ability to focus and empathize with others.
Having a child read or read to them is beneficial in the following ways:
- improves your concentration and basic literacy skills.
- promotes academic performance.
- expands your vocabulary.
- encourages your imagination – in ultimately inspiring creativity.
- Reading offers the opportunity to develop your moral compass. certain books provide a story of right or wrong choices. morality-based stories encourage the reader to determine what they would have done in a particular situation, thus developing their definition of right and wrong or good and bad.
- reading promotes critical thinking.
Reading is beneficial for many reasons, and the skills children develop from reading are timeless.
book recommendations for children
So, let’s take a quick look at some of the most popular children’s books that have remained classics for many years. when in mint condition, these books can command a high price if they are first editions. that’s because everyone wants them in their library!
So, here are some of the most valuable and classic children’s books you should consider having on your bookshelf:
- carroll, l, maqueira, e. (1865). Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. macmillan.
- kipling, r. (1894). the jungle book macmillan.
- baum, f, l. (one thousand nine hundred). the wonderful wizard of oz George M. hill company.
- potter, b. (1901). the tale of peter rabbit frederick warne & co.
- barrie, m, j. (1904). Peter Pan. F. d. bedford.
- grahame, k. (1908). The wind in the willows. methuen.
- garnett, e. (1937). the family at the end of the street. frederick muller.
- white, h, t. (1938). the sword in the Stone. harpercollins.
- white, b, e. (1952). charlotte’s website harper & brothers.
- dahl, r. (1964). Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. George Allen & don’t win.
- rowling, k, j. (1997). harry potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. bloomsbury.
- dahl, r. (1961). james and the giant peach alfred a. knopf, inc.
conclusion
Children’s books are an essential part of a child’s development. Books don’t just have monetary value, they also have sentimental value that you can’t replace.
Children’s books can act as an heirloom that even your children’s children could use. old children’s books are nostalgic and can bring families together. therefore, when you look at a children’s book, it can be valuable in more ways than one.
See Also: The Best Books for Teachers in 2022
sources
- cam everlands: 10 benefits of reading
- reach out and read: child development
- love to read 4 kids: 50 classic books every child should read
- the ncbla: why do kids need books?
- all4kids: the importance of reading to your kids
- sfgate: out of print kids books worth seeking out