Rick, while you are right according to the letter [and probably intent] of the law, that doesn't help much. True, taking pictures of people is free, publishing them can be free [i.e. if they are just part of a scene, not the subject] in most countries. Nevertheless, if you want to make money with photos depicting people you eventually need their approval. Even more so if it is children shown.
Technically it is not even the photographer in need of a release. It is the publisher. Tell that to agencies [stock or advertising] and magazine editors. If you cannot provide a model release your photos are out.*
Curt's original question is not about some principle question - BTW, I do not agree with the current situation as I outline it - but a very concrete one: what to give, what to get. My answer as an old pop tune: Give a Little, Get a Little. Ask for a release in exchange for a desktop wallpaper sized electronic version and probably an A5 sized print as a token of appreciation. Follow-up business would be a best case, with nothing lost but a few minutes of printing and sending an e-mail being the worst.
*Few exceptions, which are ever more contested nowadays.
__________________ Dierk Haasis
[DH² Publishing] - Writing and Imaging
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