CPSC, Advantage Publishers Group Announce Recall to Replace Educational Kits
Reason for Recall / Hazard
The red painted numbers on the acetate stencil sheet included in the "Let's Start™" kit contain lead; and the gold paint bearing the words "Kasy's Extrafine" on the black pen included in the "Optical Illusions" kit has lead.
Product Description & Identification
The "Let's Start™" kit has a blue and red cover with a dog on the front, and contains an interactive book that uses exercises and activities to introduce children to numbers. The clear acetate stencil sheet is part of a packet of activity pieces, including a cleaning sponge, counting coins, a magic pen, and a counting frame. On the back of the kit, it reads in part, "This product is suitable for use only by children over 4 years of age." The "Optical Illusions" kit has a multi- colored cover with various geometric shapes, and reads in part, "Only for use by children over 8 years of age and under adult supervision." The black pen is included with an activity book and various shapes and images used to perform optical experiments.
Affected Products
Let's Start™ Numbers and "Optical Illusions Lab" educational kits
Additional Source Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| U R L | https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2001/CPSC-Advantage-Publishers-Group-Announce-Recall-to-Replace-Educational-Kits |
| Title | CPSC, Advantage Publishers Group Announce Recall to Replace Educational Kits |
| Images › 1 › U R L | https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/optical-illusions_0.jpeg |
| Images › 1 › Caption | Recalled "Optical Illusions Lab" educational kit |
| Images › 2 › U R L | https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/pen-lets-start_0.jpeg |
| Images › 2 › Caption | Pen from recalled "Let's Start™ Numbers" educational kit |
| Images › 3 › U R L | https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/counting-frame_0.jpeg |
| Images › 3 › Caption | Stencil sheet from recalled "Let's Start™ Numbers" educational kit |
| Images › 4 › U R L | https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/lets-start_0.jpeg |
| Images › 4 › Caption | Cover of recalled "Let's Start™ Numbers" educational kit |
| Hazards › Name | The red painted numbers on the acetate stencil sheet included in the "Let's Start™" kit contain lead; and the gold paint bearing the words "Kasy's Extrafine" on the black pen included in the "Optical Illusions" kit has lead. |
| Injuries › Name | CPSC and Advantage Publishers Group have not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries. Lead poisoning is a serious hazard to children, and is associated with behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth retardation. |
| Products › Name | Let's Start™ Numbers and "Optical Illusions Lab" educational kits |
| Products › Type | Educational Materials |
| Products › Category I D | 1922 |
| Products › Number Of Units | About 160,000 |
| Recall I D | 879 |
| Remedies › Name | Consumers should immediately remove the stencil sheets and pens from the activity kits and discard them. Customers should call Advantage Publishers Group to order a replacement piece. |
| Retailers › Name | Retail stores, national book chains, wholesalers and distributors, and membership warehouse clubs nationwide sold the educational kits, from February 1999 through May 2001, for between $13 and $20. |
| Recall Date | 2001-07-10T00:00:00 |
| Description | The "Let's Start™" kit has a blue and red cover with a dog on the front, and contains an interactive book that uses exercises and activities to introduce children to numbers. The clear acetate stencil sheet is part of a packet of activity pieces, including a cleaning sponge, counting coins, a magic pen, and a counting frame. On the back of the kit, it reads in part, "This product is suitable for use only by children over 4 years of age." The "Optical Illusions" kit has a multi- colored cover with various geometric shapes, and reads in part, "Only for use by children over 8 years of age and under adult supervision." The black pen is included with an activity book and various shapes and images used to perform optical experiments. |
| Recall Number | 01193 |
| Manufacturers › Name | Advantage Publishers Group, of San Diego, Calif. |
| Consumer Contact | Customers should call Lilian Shia (858-450-3556) or Lynn Brennan (858-457-2500 X-2575) at Advantage Publishers Group. Consumers also can obtain information by going to the company's website at www.advantagebooksonline.com |
| Last Publish Date | 2026-03-13T00:00:00 |