CPSC, Advantage Publishers Group Announce Recall to Replace Educational Kits
Home product recall 01-193. Announced by CPSC on Jul 10, 2001.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Jul 10, 2001. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
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.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
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.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: 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
Which ones are recalled?
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.
About 160,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Let’s Start™ Numbers and “Optical Illusions Lab” educational kits.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 4 photos on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Advantage Publishers Group, San Diego, Calif.
- 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.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
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.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.