Recall: "Color 'N Contrast Crib Book" Recalled by Penguin USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT: Hannah Simone
May 15, 1996	(301) 504-7908
Release # 96-113

CPSC and Penguin USA Announce "Color 'N Contrast Crib Book" Recall

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC), Dutton Children's Books, a division of Penguin USA of New York, N.Y., is recalling about 24,000 "Color 'N Contrast Crib Books." The books were sold under two titles, "KITTY AND FRIENDS" and "PUPPY AND FRIENDS." These books were sold under the Playskool name, which is licensed by Dutton. Straight pins used during the manufacturing process were mistakenly left in some of the books, creating a hazard to young children.

Neither CPSC nor Penguin USA is aware of any injuries involving these books. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.

The "Kitty and Friends Color and Contrast Crib Book" and "Puppy and Friends Color and Contrast Crib Book" each consist of five attached plush fabric panels. Each panel has a black and white picture on one side and a color picture on the other. The panels can be folded into one another, creating a "book." The first and last panel have Velcro tabs attached so that the unfolded panels can be attached to crib slats and used as a crib decoration. The books measure 5.25 inches by 5.25 inches when folded and 5.25 inches by 26 inches when extended.

The "Kitty and Friends" book includes colored panels with pictures of a house, a bear, a duck, a flower, and a locomotive. The book's black and white panels include pictures of a rocking horse, four boxes with a quarter moon, heart, triangle, and star, a boy's face, a target, and a cat.

The "Puppy and Friends" book includes colored panels with pictures of a fish, a ball, a butterfly, a car, and an apple. The book's black and white panels include pictures of a sailboat, four boxes with two circular mazes and two square mazes, a girl's face, a design with a triangle, a heart, a circle and a star, and a dog.

A label on the fabric flaps reads in part, "Dutton Children's Books, a division of Penguin Books USA Inc. ... Playskool ... Hasbro, Inc." and "ISBN 0-525-45468-3" or "ISBN 0-525-45469-1." (Playskool licenses its name to Penguin Books USA Inc.)

The books were packaged in a clear plastic bag with a cardboard insert and a cardboard header. The cardboard header reads in part, "PLAYSKOOL COLOR 'N'CONTRAST Crib Book."

Various retail stores, including Barnes and Noble, Borders, Walden Books, Crown Books, Fay's Drug Stores, Burlington Coat Factory, Musicland, Baby Superstores, and others, sold the books nationwide from November 1995 to March 1996 for $4.99 each.

Consumers should take these books away from young children immediately and return them to the retail store where purchased for a full refund. Consumers can also mail the books to Penguin USA, 100 Fabrite Road, Newbern, TN 38059-1334, Attn: Cloth Book Department. Penguin USA will reimburse consumers the price of the book and postage costs. For more information, consumers should call Penguin USA at (800) 447-9911.