Originally, I worried that the Junior Original Book Pack wouldn't been big enough for Kindergarten. Turns out we've used it for Kindergarten and First Grade. It's just the right size for my daughter AND it can still hold 8.5 x 11" folders and books. There is no devoted spot for a water bottle, so that may be an issue for some folks. But there's plenty of spots for pencils, pens, paper, books and general kiddo knick-knacks. The owl and deer print is seriously cute and cool and distinctive. I could not be more pleased to recommend this backpack for your young school agers.
Bought this for my oldest daughter 2 years ago. She used it for kinder, then the reflective piece started chipping. Sent it back to LLBean at the end of the school year, got a replacement one sent to us. I had originally ordered it with custom lettering and my replacement came back with my replacement lettering. Bought another one for my second daughter and have now had it for a whole school year. Excellent quality. both of my daughters are petite and this is perfect for them. We can fit 2 one-inch binders or one large 3 inch binder no problem. Washed them twice this school year, no fraying whatsoever. When they're recently washed, they still look brand new. Very roomy, excellent workmanship. Will certainly buy one for my son when he starts Kinder.
I've never written a review before, but feel compelled to write one about this pack. I got this pack for my son when he started Kindergarten. He has used it everyday since, and is now in 6th grade. He not only used it for school, but trips, sleepovers and summer camps as well. Besides being a bit dirty, it's in PERFECT CONDITION. If he didn't need a bigger pack for middle school next year, we would continue to use it. I highly recommend this pack.
I was so excited to buy this pack for my little girl because I knew it would last,liked the features & the print was so cute! I did check the measurements & figured it would work out well. We tried all her school things in it & it just wasn't enough room. We tried an 11"x12" folder, her sweater, an 8"x5" pencil pouch, a 1L water bottle & a 9"x 6" lunch box. It simply wasn't enough room & the poor pack was bulging to keep all that in. I think if the front pocket were bigger,...say 9"x9", then I think we would have kept it. The organization within the pocket are nice but the pocket is only about 7" x7". We had to fold down part of the pencil pouch to put in that pocket.We usually keep the pencil pouch in there & the morning snack. I would have ordered a bigger pack, but she really wanted this Blue Woodland Critter pattern. Could LL Bean add this beautiful pattern to some of the bigger packs? I will say that I was impressed with the appearance,hardware & durability of the pack. The zippers, stitching & straps look strong, tolerant of the daily school abuse & well made. It simply wasn't big enough for what we need it to hold.
