Topham Hatt’s off to James for sending me this recall notice for a number of Thomas & Friends toys. Apparently, many of the red wooden toys have lead in the paint, which goes a long way toward explaining the slack jaws and drooling that seem to afflict any 2- to 5-year-old boy who comes near them. As a fervid Thomas collector, this could have been a devastating development for Carter, but fortunately we have mostly the die-cast metal trains (all the better to scratch your wooden floors with). The West Loop Railway shall remain intact.

While I’m at it, though, I thought I’d do my part and pass along a few other Thomas toys that have been recalled for various reasons. If you have any of the following items, please contact the manufacturer:

• Blacklung Bernie, the Asthmatic Coal Car
• The Thomas Goes to Amsterdam “First Time” Red Light District Playset
• Scabby, the Union Busting Diesel
• Shakes the Hobo
• Sammy the Slaughterhouse Boxcar (with livestock figurines)