CLEVELAND -- Many of the recently recalled toys are made overseas, but did you know that some toys as American as apple pie are actually made in China?

With the holiday toy buying season just about to get under way, NewsChannel5 consumer reporter John Matarese found some American toys that are guaranteed to be lead free.

Mom Julie Shramm worries about her son's exposure to lead. He plays with Thomas the Tank Engine toys made in China, some of which have now been recalled for lead paint contamination.

So Shramm, like a growing number of parents, is searching for worry-free toys this year.

Miles Altman owns an independent toy store. He said so many parents are looking for lead-free toys, he's made a list of toys made in the USA or Europe.

"If a customers says, 'I want something for 3 to 5 made in the USA,' we can show them those things," said toy store owner Miles Altman.

At the top of that list is Playmobil.

"Playmobil is made primarily in Germany. This is the best selling line in the store," said Altman.

He said parents are scooping up Playmobil castles, airports and figurines aimed at the 4- to 9-year-old set.

Also seeing a resurgence in popularity is Lego, with its Star Wars, mars mission and other themes for pre-teens, all made in Europe.

"This is primarily European...Denmark is the home of Lego. This is solid color, not painted plastic," said Altman.

For puzzles, Altman said Ravensberger is becoming a top seller.

"Ravenberger is a German company...that makes some of the best puzzles we've ever seen," he said.

The same goes for German-made toy trucks from Bruder.

Altman is now also stocking wood blocks and wood trains from American companies like Plan Toys, which are colored with safe dyes, not paint.

For babies, he suggests a European brand called Haba, and for toddlers, European-made Kettler tricycles.

Some American toys include Slinky, Crayola, Lincoln Logs, Little Tikes, Step 2 and Vermont Teddy Bear, all made in the United States.

You can find out about these and other American-made toys at www.usmadetoys.com.

But watch out: some American sounding toys are made in China, including Build-A-Bear, Lionel Trains, and even American Girl dolls.

You can find the country of origin by checking the box or label of a toy.

It's important to remember that not all toys from China are bad, and not all toys from China contain lead point.

Because of all the scrutiny, Chinese-made toys may soon be safer than other products.

For the latest information on recalled toys, go to the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Web site.

You can also get more news about toy recalls at NewsNet5.com's special Toy Troubles section.