CPSC And Farrar, Straus & Giroux Announce Recall Of Children’s Book, “Hey Diddle Diddle”
Kids’ product recall 95-064. Announced by CPSC on Jan 23, 1995.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Jan 23, 1995. 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?
Choking
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Which ones are recalled?
January 23, 1995 Release # 95-064 WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Farrar, Straus and Giroux Inc. of New York, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 52,000 copies of the children’s book, “HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE,” by James Marshall.The book, which is intended for small children, tells the story of the nursery rhyme, “Hey Diddle Diddle.” This book constructed with heavy cardboard pages includes a triangular-shaped rattle within the spine of the book.The caps on the end of the rattle can detach releasing the rattle’s plastic pellets. If ingested, the pellets can be inhaled into the lungs, causing breathing problems, recurring pneumonia, and even lung collapse that can lead to death. In addition, the rattle caps present a choking hazard for small children.The publisher reported to CPSC two instances of the cap ends separating from the rattles. Farrar, Straus and Giroux Inc and CPSC are not aware of any injuries involving the “Hey Diddle Diddle” book. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injury.The book, which measures approximately 6 inches by 5 1/4 inches, includes 10 heavy cardboard pages with a long, triangular-shaped rattle built into the spine. The front of the book reads, “HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE,” includes the name of the author, and depicts a cow jumping over a crescent moon. The back of the book reads, “*** A RATTLE BOARD BOOK Farrar Straus Giroux New York.”The books were sold by Walden Books, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers nationwide, as well as by The Book Club of the Month, from August to December 1994 for about $5.95.Consumers should take the book away from young children immediately and return it to the store where purchased for a refund of the purchase price. Consumers who received the book from The Book Club of the Month will be notified directly about the refund. For more information on this recall, call Farrar, Straus and Giroux at (800) 788-6262
Farrar, Straus & Giroux Hey Diddle Diddle childrens’ books.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by Walden Books.
- Made by Book Club, the Month.
- Made by Barnes & Noble.
- Made by Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
- Made by Rattle Board Book.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
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.