March 30, 2004 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: My Easter Basket Book

Units: About 5,000

Manufacturer/Importer: Kingfisher Publications PLC, a UK-based subsidiary of Houghton Mifflin Company, of Boston, Mass.

Hazard: A sponge "touch-and-feel" item inside the book can detach or small pieces can be torn away, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a child who began to choke. No reports of injuries.

Description: The cardboard book has "My Easter Basket Book" printed on the cover in pink letters over an Easter basket. "First Holiday Books" and "Touch & feel" also are written on the cover. The book includes photos of marshmallow candy, plush toys, lollipops and candy typically found in Easter baskets. The book incorporates textured touch-and feel-surfaces. "KINGFISHER" is written on the book�s spine and back cover.

Sold at: Retailers nationwide from February 2004 through March 2004 for about $8.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take these books away from young children immediately, and return the books to Kingfisher Publications PLC, Customer Service, 181 Ballardvale St., Wilmington, MA 01887 for a refund and postage reimbursement.

Consumer Contact: Call Kingfisher toll-free at (800) 289-4371 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, send an e-mail to [email protected].

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.