This is the best, small, backpack. Hands down. It fits full-size folders (something most small backpacks do not) and fits smaller kids. They hold up awesomely to all the rough treatment little kids put their things through and still look new!
I got one for my daughter as she entered Kindergarten this fall (pink polka dots) and one for my son who started 3yo preschool (orange sharks). My son is small (only 34" when he got the backpack), so the backpack was big on him, but he could handle it fine and is quickly growing into it (he is 36" now and it doesn't look so huge on him anymore). We also got an original for my daughter in case the junior was too small, but the original is MUCH too big for her. She is 42" tall. The original is in storage for 2nd grade probably.
This backpack carries my daughter's 2 folders, reading group book bag, her lunchbox, her snack container, her water bottle (smaller pouch), and random other stuff. It still has room for her lightweight jacket when the weather warms up in the afternoon. It would not have room for heavy snow gear, but we don't need that around here (CA) and I wouldn't put snow gear in a backpack anyway.
My son's backpack holds his preschool folder, a change of clothing and shoes, his lunchbox, his afternoon snack (smaller pouch), his nap blanket, and random other stuff. It also has plenty of room for his lightweight jacket in the afternoons.
I am a teacher and would find this backpack of appropriate size for Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade. Depending on what is required for students in your school, it MAY be appropriate for Second Grade (it would be fine where I teach). By third grade, your child will almost certainly need a larger size backpack.
Our plan is to keep these backpacks until they are outgrown or until the kids reach 2nd/3rd grade and then switch to the Original. The quality of these backpacks have made us life-long LLBean customers. These backpacks are AWESOME!
I bought two of the original junior book packs for my 3 and 5 yr old. My boy chose the shark print which is vibrant and cute. My daughter chose woodland creature, which is adorable! The quality seems to be great although we have only had them for two months so time will tell. The woodland creature pack is starting to fray a tiny bit on the bottom corners, but nothing too concerning.
Ok, so on to the size. I searched the web for days before deciding if this size was good enough for my pre-k and kindergarten age children. After tons of research, I decided to go with this size over the original because reviews said it was big enough for a folder and other necessities. However, I find that it is not! Technically, it will fit a folder. However, the top tips are hitting the top of the bag. Within one week of use, both of the children's folders were ruined. The paperwork within them comes home wrinkled from the crushed folders. My son (3 yrs.) has started folding his folder in half because it is so soft now from being mangled. Last year, my daughter had a cheap back pack that was just two inches taller and her folder showed barely any wear after an entire year of use.
What does fit in this pack is a folder, a lunch box, a small snack bag and a pair of sneakers. keep in mind that everything is being smooshed in there. If this bag was 2" taller, it would work great for a pre-k to k student. Unfortunately, if you want your child's school work to be wrinkle free, this is not the bag for you...buy the next size up. If you are just looking for a daycare or overnight bag, this is perfect for a 3-5 yr old!
I bought two of the original junior book packs for my 3 and 5 yr old. My boy chose the shark print which is vibrant and cute. My daughter chose woodland creature, which is adorable! The quality seems to be great although we have only had them for two months so time will tell. The woodland creature pack is starting to fray a tiny bit on the bottom corners, but nothing too concerning.
Ok, so on to the size. I searched the web for days before deciding if this size was good enough for my pre-k and kindergarten age children. After tons of research, I decided to go with this size over the original because reviews said it was big enough for a folder and other necessities. However, I find that it is not! Technically, it will fit a folder. However, the top tips are hitting the top of the bag. Within one week of use, both of the children's folders were ruined. The paperwork within them comes home wrinkled from the crushed folders. My son (3 yrs.) has started folding his folder in half because it is so soft now from being mangled. Last year, my daughter had a cheap back pack that was just two inches taller and her folder showed barely any wear after an entire year of use.
What does fit in this pack is a folder, a lunch box, a small snack bag and a pair of sneakers. keep in mind that everything is being smooshed in there. If this bag was 2" taller, it would work great for a pre-k to k student. Unfortunately, if you want your child's school work to be wrinkle free, this is not the bag for you...buy the next size up. If you are just looking for a daycare or overnight bag, this is perfect for a 3-5 yr old!
After extensive research on all the backpacks out there, I ended up going with this classic. My son is 2.8 years old and started pre-school this fall. The bag is PERFECT, it fits the lunch bag (also by LL Bean and equally terrific) and his folder and clothes for school. It is a great size for his frame, he is about 3 feet 2 inches now and he can carry it with ease. I did block uppercase lettering for his monogramming and it turned out perfect. I LOVE this and would look no further for a younger child's first backpack.
