The Toy Industry Association just published a list of toys recalled this year. Its toy safety website, ToyInfo.org, also published a Q&A with Joan Lawrence, vice president of the industry's toy safety division.

Everyone knows about the recalls of toys with lead paint. How big is the problem and should parents be worried about toys made in China?

The toy industry is very concerned that lead has been found in the paint in some toys. This is absolutely unacceptable. We have a new initiative to ensure consistent testing and inspection of products so that this does not happen again. For now, two facts can help parents assess the relative risks of toys. First, parents should know that toys are statistically among the safest products in a household. Toy recalls account for less than one percent of the 3 billion toys sold in the U.S. annually. Also, all toys sold in the U.S. must conform to U.S. safety standards, regardless of where they are made. Secondly, medical experts and toxicologists say that a child’s exposure to lead from a recalled toy would likely be minute under normal use. They encourage parents to focus instead on the primary sources of lead in a child’s environment – from paint in old homes, lead in old plumbing, and other environmental sources.

Okay. I understand the industry’s need for damage control. But lead in my children’s toys is unacceptable no matter how low the exposure. What a smarmy response.

The Nanny’s Children Part II: The community at Berkeley Parents Network continues to berate the woman who had a problem with her preschool teacher wearing her baby to class. Here is one more letter from the batch:

You asked if it's ''safe'' for the other children paying tuition. Your concern really isn't about safety, and obviously you have only one child, or you would realize that mommies carry babies while running after their older children on a daily basis.

Let me get this straight: these well-loved, respected teachers (your words) who are making minimum wage or close to it and couldn't even afford to pay for pre-school themselves, are in the wrong for bringing their babies to work?

Your real concern has to do with your cheapness - you feel ripped off. The truth is, you're getting terrific group childcare. Pre-school prices are significantly undervalued because teachers are not paid enough to live on. It's unfortunate that so many people get such great childcare at the expense of the provider, who ekes out a pittance.

It's not unprofessional as you say, and kudos to the director for caring about her community and having a heart. If you really think your child is ''getting the short end of the stick'' being in a situation where everyone is cared about, you should immediately pull your child out of that preschool and go pay as little as possible at some other preschool who is willing to sacrifice their needs for the sake of your child.

OR... you might try to look at it as we all live in this one big community, and we can all choose to be there for each other.