Students at local middle school help families Jan 3, 2008
A young girl wanted school supplies, a little brother wanted toy cars, a mother asked for laundry soap and cosmetics. And a father hoped for a tool set. (Los Angeles Daily News)
Engineering a world all on his own Jan 2, 2008
A collection of toy cars sits on a shelf near a bar before the carpet turns right, leading to Ford's work bench. Scattered parts sit on the bench along with a number of train magazines for which Ford has written. (Albany Times Union)
Feature: American consumers welcome Chinese toys Dec 29, 2007
WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Speaking over the phone with his wife, Mr. Todd, a father of three boys, was facing a whole shelf full of colorful toy cars, undecided. In front of him was a shopping cart already stacked with some toys and books. (Xinhuanet, China)
Toy drive brings early Christmas to Pasadena area children Dec 27, 2007
Electric toy cars, board games, a bicycle raffle and dolls - the boys and girls up to 13 years old had a field day. Walking down the tables set up in the parking lot, each child could choose at least two items. (Pasadena Citizen, TX)
Bisbee Rotary extends Christmas arm across the border Dec 27, 2007
At the toy pile, children gingerly, and not so gingerly, sifted through mounds of stuffed animals, soccer balls and a variety of toys from toy cars to Leggos. Off to one side, an elderly woman sat handing out crocheted doilies. (Douglas Daily Dispatch, AZ)
ARTURO MOLINA stacks two dozen eggs on top of his... Dec 25, 2007
Children were delighted in the opportunity to pick out their own presents, which included toy cars, board games, dolls and plenty of stuffed animals. The young men of Hanna Boys Center also helped out, carrying food boxes to people's cars. (Sonoma Index-Tribune, CA)
Malls organize Christmas charities for children Dec 24, 2007
On Sunday's opening at Senayan City, the program took in around 40 toys, including dolls, toy cars and play cooksets. Priscilla said Christmas was just one opportunity among many for people to share their good fortune. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Middle Schoolers answer soldiers' plea, send help to orphan children in Iraq Dec 21, 2007
Donated were 220 stuffed animals, 161 shirts, 26 sweatshirts, 113 pairs of pants/shorts, 19 sweaters, 20 coats, 13 scarves, hats and mittens and four full boxes of balls, toy cars, dolls and misc. toys. (Storm Lake Pilot Tribune, IA)
Hospital provides lead tests for children Dec 21, 2007
Your Connection to the. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Santa visits students Dec 21, 2007
The students, who get out today for Christmas break, got to pick from books, dolls, toy cars and school supplies, among other things, for their presents. Shavon Johnson, another fifth-grader, said she enjoyed Christmas at the school because the teachers also bring presents for the children. (Albany Herald)
101 Dumbest Moments in Business Dec 19, 2007
During 2007, the Year of the Pig, Mattel is forced to recall almost 20 million items made in China because of lead paint on toy cars and tiny magnets that could be deadly if swallowed. Lead paint problems are also found in 844,000 Chinese-made Barbie accessories and toys with the Sesame Street brand. (CNN -- Money / Companies)
Lackey helps ring in holiday spirit Dec 19, 2007
" As the gingerbread became frosty people, Lackey went around and signed kids' hats by taking them off and then putting them back on their heads. Their caps were soon emblazoned with several signatures, including that of Santa Claus, who came to join the ecstatic crowd. All the children came from the nonprofit groups of: Boys Club of Anaheim, Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Brea-Placentia-Yorba Linda and Fullerton; as well as the Canyon Acres Children and Family Services, LA County Probation,... (MLB.com -- Anaheim Angels)
Letters to Santa Dec 15, 2007
Smartbord, a cat, xbox 360, a bascetball, and a football, some toy cars, and I want a wii. Your friend, Jeffery. (Madison County Record, AL)
Chinese Kids Get Foreign-Brand Toys Dec 15, 2007
The summer safety scandals in which millions of Chinese-made toy cars, trains, action figures and jewelry were recalled in the U.S. also helped foreign toy companies. The government is now requiring many toy makers to qualify for safety and quality certifications, standards that foreign firms are used to meeting. (Time.com)
Rowling Book Fetches Nearly $4 Million Dec 14, 2007
Bonhams on Monday will hold a huge, 1,417-lot Christmas sale featuring toy cars, trains, soldiers, dolls, puppets and teddy bears at its U.K. showrooms at Knowle on the outskirts of Birmingham. "Toys for boys," including trains, cars and soldiers, are selling especially well now, with exceptional pieces going for 200 to 1,500, says Leigh Gotch, Bonhams toy department director. (Wall Street Journal)
UPDATE 1-Dollar Tree recalls 300000 toys due to lead paint Dec 14, 2007
WASHINGTON, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Dollar Tree Stores Inc (DLTR.O: , , ) recalled 300,000 baby bead toys and toy cars made in China because they contain excessive levels of lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday. The recalled baby toy has colored beads that slide on a wooden platform, while the recalled Speed Racer Pull Back rs are yellow with black stripes and white with red stripes, the government agency said in a statement. (Reuters)
Neither rain nor recalls ... can keep Santa Pelco from its appointed joyful toy rounds Dec 14, 2007
Mattel followed in August with a series of recalls of more than 2 million toy cars, trains, shape-sorters and Barbie doll accessories. Wholesalers sent Duffield pictures of safe toys she could buy, but supplies were skimpy. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
The Rodriguez Great Pre-Christmas Clearance Dec 14, 2007
At my mom's house, the kids have only a play kitchen, about 15 books, some toy cars, some baby toys and an old Little People house with figures. My kids play intently for hours over there. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Santa will be taking their toys to A Friend's Place Dec 9, 2007
The toys ranged from inexpensive toy cars to Barbie dolls. Others purchased one item or two for the toy drive and volunteers were just as happy. (Park Hills Daily Journal, MO)
Vintage childhood amusements entertaining new generations Dec 9, 2007
But that interest faded away within months and the value of lunchboxes and toy cars festooned with Bo and Luke Duke images diminished along with it. For those with an interest in reaping a financial windfall in vintage toys, research is the key. (Conroe Courier, TX)
Editorial: Vote Yes for ICC school repairs Dec 8, 2007
Sounds like China WE USED LOOK at toddlers taste-testing toy cars and doll furniture as a charming phase. Now it alarms us because of what we know about the lead in paint on toys made in China. (Hillsdale Independent, NY)
Attorney general candidate proposes state toy safety law Dec 7, 2007
She said one package of toy cars had been purchased at a Jefferson City store a week after its manufacturer had recalled it for having lead-based paint. She said her bill was modeled on an Illinois law and written with the help of a national, product-safety advocacy group called Kids In Danger. (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
Helping hands Dec 5, 2007
In previous years, the woodshop classes have made toy cars, trucks and airplanes and have averaged close to 600 toys a year, Goulasarian said. Goulasarian said that due to Michigan's current economy, two vendors who usually provide support were unable to do so this year. (The News-Herald)
Local artisans pull together for local charity program Dec 3, 2007
The cradles, adorned with 60 different designs, sat ready for delivery while final touches like door detailing and windows added to the creativity of each of the toy cars. Martin (Lutz) brought the idea to our group. (Montrose Daily Press, CO)
Shoppers being extra careful when considering toys for gifts Nov 25, 2007
"It's a real big (concern). I have a grandson that puts everything in his mouth," said Hanford resident Francine Shaw as she looked over dozens of toy cars. Shaw was looking for small parts that might come off. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Where are your toys from? Nov 24, 2007
And they re all toys kids want like toy cars and Thomas the Tank. Many shoppers interviewed for this story said recalls aren t the only thing affecting their shopping habits. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
EU Will Not Ban China Toys for Now Nov 23, 2007
Concerns over toy safety remain high after the U.S. company Mattel Inc. ordered recalls this year of more than 21 million Chinese-made toys, including Barbie doll accessories and toy cars, because of concerns about lead paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed. The company's own tests found lead levels in paint on recalled toys as high as 200 times the accepted safety ceiling. (Newsmax)
Calif. sues Mattel, others over toys containing lead Nov 21, 2007
Mattel followed in August with a series of recalls of more than 2 million toy cars, trains, shape-sorters and Barbie doll accessories. Its Fisher-Price unit also pulled Sesame Street-themed products from a line of infant and preschool toys. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Arizona officials urge parents to be cautious Nov 21, 2007
The Matchbox police car and several similar toy cars that can be viewed on the PIRG Web site, toysafety. net, pose a threat because parts can come off and choke a small child, officials said. (AZCentral -- Business)
California sues firms over lead-tainted toys Nov 20, 2007
It follows a series of nationwide toy recalls this year which have seen tens of millions of largely Chinese-made products, including Barbie doll accessories, toy cars, trains and infant toys withdrawn from stores. "Companies must take every reasonable step to assure that the products they handle are safe for children and their families and fully comply with the laws of California," Brown said. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Season 2 Give Nov 13, 2007
Toys (Stuffed animals, action figures, toy cars, dolls and others). Sporting Goods (Baseball gloves, basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls). (Click2Houston, TX)
China halts exports of suspected toxic toy beads Nov 10, 2007
The US further recalled nearly 400,000 other toys, including toy cars, which were made in China and had surface paint containing excessive levels of lead. No injuries were reported among the lead paint recalls. (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
More Than 405,000 Toys Recalled Due to Lead Paint Contamination Nov 9, 2007
More than 405,000 children's products made in China, most of them toy cars, were recalled Wednesday for containing dangerous levels of lead, a government safety group announced. The recall includes about 380,000 imported by Dollar General Merchandising Inc. of Goodlettsville, Tenn. (KLAS-TV.com, NV)
Australian company says it is investigating toxic toy after fourth child hospitalized Nov 9, 2007
Products including Barbie doll accessories and toy cars had lead paint or tiny detachable magnets that could be swallowed. Both 1,4-butanediol and 1,5-pentanediol are manufactured in China and elsewhere, including by major multinational companies, and are also marketed over the Internet. (International Herald Tribune)
'Date rape drug' China toy recalled Nov 8, 2007
Lead poisoning: Dizzy Ducks music boxes, Winnie-the-Pooh spinning tops, Big Red wagons, Dragster and Funny Car and Duck Family wind-up toys, Pull-Back Action Toy Cars ... Also on Wednesday, the CPSC issued recalls for about 403,000 toys with paint containing excessive levels of lead, including 380,000 Pull-Back Action Toy Cars. (Aljazeera.Net)
List of lead-contaminated toys recalled Nov 8, 2007
-About 380,000 Pull-Back Action Toy Cars, imported by Dollar General Merchandising Inc. of Goodlettsville, Tenn. The cars were sold at Dollar General stores from April through October. (Herald Online, SC -- Health)
Toys Recalled Beacause of Lead Nov 8, 2007
They include about 380,000 pull-back action toy cars imported by Dollar General. There have been no reports of illness linked to the toys. (R News)
China-made toys recalled again Nov 8, 2007
Meanwhile, a separate recall was announced for 405,000 children's products made in China, mostly toy cars, because of dangerous levels of lead. The recall includes about 380,000 Pull-Back Action Toy Cars and 7,500 Dragster and Funny Car toys. (NDTV.com)
Pediatricians group urges autism screening for all toddlers by age 2 Nov 6, 2007
Just because a child likes to line up toy cars or has temper tantrums "doesn't mean you need to have concern, if they're also interacting socially and also pretending with toys and communicating well," said co-author Dr. Scott Myers, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician in Danville, Pa. Another educational tool, a Web site that debuted in mid-October, offers dozens of video clips of autistic kids contrasted with unaffected children's behavior. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Simple toys can be learning tools Nov 5, 2007
For example, my older child loves to match and sort things such as coins or small toy cars. This can keep him busy for a long time, and I feel like he is definitely learning from it, too. (AZCentral -- News)
U.S.: doctors urge two autism tests by age 2 Oct 31, 2007
Just because a child likes to line up toy cars or has temper tantrums "doesn't mean you need to have concern, if they're also interacting socially and also pretending with toys and communicating well," said co-author Dr. Scott Myers, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician in Danville, Pennsylvania. (Agencies). (Xinhuanet, China)
China defends quality of products Oct 19, 2007
The products pulled off shelves included Barbie doll accessories and toy cars because of concerns about lead paint or tiny magnets that could be swallowed. While hundreds of thousands of the toys were decorated with lead paint, Mattel also acknowledged design flaws and apologized. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
China's quality troubles give toymakers an opportunity to target China itself Oct 19, 2007
Tomy Co., a Japanese maker of toy cars and Barbie-lookalike Licca-chan dolls, had its own China episode: In August, it announced it was recalling Chinese-made toy cars it markets and sells for Mattel in Japan after excess lead was found in the paint. But after years of contending with rivals that undercut its business by selling counterfeit, inferior versions of its toys, the company is finally seeing stricter enforcement of standards its own manufacturers have been meeting all along, said John... (International Herald Tribune)
Mattel Feels Financial Pinch of Recalls Oct 16, 2007
Later in August, Mattel recalled 250,000 toy cars from the movie "Cars" believed to contain dangerous levels of lead paint. Four other toys, totaling 18. (SmartMoney)
China sponsors quality-control training in its toy industry Oct 15, 2007
The toys pulled off shelves in the Mattel recall included Barbie doll accessories and toy cars because of concerns about lead paint or tiny magnets that could be swallowed. While hundreds of thousands of the toys were decorated with lead paint, Mattel also acknowledged design flaws and apologized. (International Herald Tribune -- Business Asia)
Palm Bay considers ban on China goods Oct 4, 2007
Last month, several Mattel toys were recalled after it was discovered that lead paint was used on toy cars and that action figures and some dolls contained small magnets that could be swallowed. Wal-Mart pulled Chinese-made binders and pet products from their shelves because of safety concerns. (Florida Today)
47 tons of U.S. sardines rejected Oct 3, 2007
Mattel ordered three high-profile recalls this summer involving more than 21 million Chinese-made toys, including Barbie doll accessories and toy cars because of concerns about lead paint or tiny magnets that could be swallowed. The slew of Chinese-made toys since June by Mattel and other smaller toy makers has resulted in many parents scouring for U.S.-made label stamped on playthings at toy stores. (AZCentral -- Business)
Mattel Apologizes To China For Toy Recalls Sep 24, 2007
Mattel ordered three high-profile recalls this summer involving more than 21 million Chinese-made toys, including Barbie doll accessories and toy cars because of concerns about lead paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed. A list of recalled toys can be found at. (CBS2Chicago.com, IL)
Mattel to China: Sorry for Recalls Sep 24, 2007
Mattel ordered three high-profile recalls this summer involving more than 21 million Chinese-made toys, including Barbie doll accessories and toy cars because of concerns about lead paint or tiny magnets that could be swallowed. The recalls have prompted complaints from China that manufacturers were being blamed for design faults introduced by Mattel. (SmartMoney)
Why Mattel ApologizedAnalysis: The company admits that most of its toy recalls were due to its own design flaws, not Chinese manufacturers. Lesson: Mattel needs China as much as China needs Mattel. Sep 23, 2007
In August, after the company announced its recalls of several toys because they were made using lead paint, reporters grilled Mattel CEO Bob Eckert about how lead paint, which is banned for use on children's toys in the U.S., ended up on its "Sarge" toy cars. Surprisingly, he had answers. (Time.com)
Mattel says sorry to China about toy recalls Sep 22, 2007
Barbie doll accessories and toy cars were among the items on the list of products recalled over concerns about lead paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed. Chinese sub-contractors received the majority of the criticism over the recalls, and several firms were fired. (CTV.ca)
Mattel executive apologizes to China over recall of toys Sep 22, 2007
Mattel ordered three high-profile recalls this summer involving more than 21 million Chinese-made toys, including Barbie doll accessories and toy cars because of concerns about lead paint or tiny magnets that could be swallowed. Yesterday, Debrowski acknowledged that the "vast majority of those products recalled were the result of a design flaw in Mattel's design, not through a manufacturing flaw in China's manufacturers.". (Boston Globe -- Business)
U.S. toy giant Mattel apologizes to China over worldwide recall of Chinese-made toys Sep 21, 2007
Mattel ordered three high-profile recalls this summer of millions of Chinese-made toys including Barbie doll accessories and toy cars because of concerns about lead paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed. The "vast majority of those products that were recalled were the result of a design flaw in Mattel's design, not through a manufacturing flaw in China's manufacturers,'' Debrowski said. Lead-tainted toys accounted for only a small percentage of all toys recalled, he said, adding that:... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
* Europe's toymakers find advantages at home Sep 20, 2007
With parents fretting about the safety hazards of toy cars and trains and Barbie accessories, the not-made-in-China label could prove to be a boon to European toy makers, particularly in their domestic markets, where the corner toy store has not yet been elbowed out by retailing giants like Wal-Mart or Toys "R" Us. "A lot of the sales still rely on the expertise of the guy whom I call Fritz," said Sean McGowan, a toy industry analyst at Wedbush Morgan Securities in New York. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Europe's toymakers well-positioned amid scares over Chinese-made toys Sep 18, 2007
With parents fretting about the health hazards of toy cars and tank engines, the not-made-in-China label could prove to be nice bonus for these European toymakers, especially in Europe, where the corner toy store has not yet been elbowed out by retail giants like Wal-Mart or Toys "R" Us. Today in Business. (International Herald Tribune)
Toy soldiers: Retailers get vigilant about safety Sep 18, 2007
Among the millions of recalled toys are Barbie playsets, toy cars featuring the character "Sarge" from the children's movie "Cars" and Fisher-Price items featuring characters including Dora the Explorer, Elmo and Ernie. To learn more about the recalls or affected products, visit Mattel's Web site, For information about toy recalls, go to the Web site of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (News & Observer)
Shooting of boy cautionary tale for gun owners Sep 17, 2007
Parents and children alike should learn a lesson from an accidental shooting Saturday afternoon that left a 9-year-old boy injured, says a state trooper who investigated the incident. For children, guns are not toys. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Three sure-fire methods for getting kids to clean up their toys Sep 16, 2007
They pull everything out; toy cars and planes, stuffed animals, blankets to make tents, and so on, but they won't pick up and put anything away unless their father or I stand over them. What now. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
After Christmas Sep 15, 2007
Workers assemble toy cars at the Dongguan Da Lang Wealthwise Plastic Factory in China recently. Cheap Chinese toys fueled U.S. discount wars. (Orlando Sentinel)
Unleaded toy cars will cost more Sep 14, 2007
Shoppers can expect price increases up to 10 percent next year to pay for increased vigilance by toy makers and stores after more than 3 million lead-tainted toys from China were recalled worldwide since June. 99 Barbie doll could go up to about $7. (Scranton Times, PA)
Toy testing costs wont affect holidays Sep 14, 2007
Workers assemble toy cars at the production line of Dongguan Da Lang Wealthwise Plastic Factory in Dongguan, China. Americans have enjoyed cheap goods from China, but that may soon be ending due to the added cost of safety testing or making goods domestically. (MSNBC -- Business)
Cost of toys to increase 10 percent Sep 14, 2007
Workers assemble toy cars at the production line of Dongguan Da Lang Wealthwise Plastic Factory in Dongguan, China, in this file photo. Soon, American consumers are going to have to bear the cost of safer toys. (AZCentral -- Business)
China vows to crack down on lead in toys sent to US Sep 12, 2007
A vendor stands near toy cars in a department store in Beijing. China agreed yesterday to increase inspections at Chinese factories after massive recalls of Chinese-made toys. (Boston Globe)
U.S. and China agree on toy safety measures Sep 12, 2007
Mattel, the largest American toy company, has issued three product recalls this summer for Chinese-made toys, removing millions of units of Barbie doll accessories, toy cars and other products because of unsafe levels of lead or magnets that too easily detach. Nord and her Chinese counterpart, Wei Chuanzhong, also agreed to improve safety standards of electrical goods, cigarette lighters and fireworks, they said at a news conference. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
China to halt use of lead paint on toys Sep 12, 2007
Workers assemble toy cars at the production line of Dongguan Da Lang Wealthwise Plastic Factory in Dongguan, China Tuesday Sept. 4, 2007. Stung by global recalls, China opened a toy-testing lab to foreign media Tuesday, showing off workers in white lab coats scraping paint off plastic toys and twisting the legs and arms of action-figure dolls. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
