Back to School Product Reviews and Advice

A selection of products that we feel will help your child with their daily school life.

Skip Hop Zoo range of backpacks and lunchie's from Dillons Toybox reviewed by Tilly 6

A bright and fun alternative to the traditional school bag and lunch box. Our young tester was asked how she liked the new Skip Hop Zebra back pack and the Owl lunch box, her response: 'My friends wanted my bag when they saw me come into school. I like the way it's made of cuddly material, it's not like my old bag. The owl luch box is so cute. They're great. They make me smile when I look at them, it's like taking friends to school with me."  Prices start at £11.95 for the lunchie and £17.95 for the bag. The whole range is adorable, with a complete animal selection to chose from.

Vibrant Limited Edition Jolibook by Vye reviewed by Harry 9 and mum Tracey.

This netbook is billed as 'Ultra portable, easy to use Jolibook by Vye, for consumers and kids seeking simplistic yet powerful, up to the minute, web connectivity at the touch of a button.' It's the same size as a normal netbook, with an exceptionally funky cover, it has the usual three USB jacks, VGA and Ethernet ports, and headphone and microphone sockets but that's where the similarties end. It's operated with the Jolicloud Linux system. The app based system includes the most usefull apps pre-installed, including Gmail, Chromium, Twitter, OpenOffice (ideal for homework)  Skype, etc. and of course you can install more as you wish (which may take you some time as there are more than 700 to chose from).

So, by using this system rather than clicking on installed programs as you would do in windows, you use the various web apps, which are websites that launch as separate apps rather than just as another tab in the browser. It's a great and very forward thinking idea with just one problem, no internet connection, no apps.

The Jolibook is sturdy, and the keyboard easy to operate especially for those with little fingers.

To sum up, it's attractive, exceptionally easy to use and has the most up to date technology, if you can stand to back away from windows and come over to the dark side of Linux then it should be an altogether enjoyable expeience for young and old alike.  Why not find out for yourself here >>>>

The new Doro 410s GSM Mobile Phone reviewed by Benn, Oli and James (10,9,12)
Although the idea of giving a mobile to your youngster is not without it's worries, the Doro 410s Mobile  is designed to give parents peace of mind as their young adults get ready to become more independent. Perhaps taking some of the worry out of walking to school for the first time by themselves or going out to play with friends.

This is a basic mobile, with no facebook browsing, aps or itunes, the phone is there to be used when needed, which is a relief when our children can be stuck with their handsets unable to remove them fro their grasp.

The strap attachment can be worn around the neck or strung through a belt loop, so there's no fear of losing the phone whilst our intreped explorers get out and about. But the best function is that the phone has a panic button -
the button being really important in this age group; the phone would dial 5 pre-programmed numbers in the event of pressing in an emergency.

Benn says 'I love that I can loop the strap around my belt loop on my trousers, it means that I can play out and not worry that I will lose it and get told off!'

Oli says 'The phone is cool, it looks really funky and I know I'm safe with the special button.'

James says 'My phone has a rubbery kind of feel to it, I've dropped it twice now, once out of a tree and it's not broken yet!'

As you can see the phones are a real hit with our youngsters, if you would like to find out more please visit www.matobshop.co.uk

Maths Wrap reviewed by Benn (aged 8) from Kent in July 2009

Maths Wrap helps your child to concentrate and build confidence in foundational maths. "Wrapping" encourages learning in 4 ways - 'doing,' 'seeing,' 'repeating' and 'performing an action.' This is known as "kinesthetic" or "tactual" education.

This clever little thing alows children to learn times tables with a toy!! What fun.

Benn who has been testing Math's wrap says: 'This was quite easy once you got the hang of it. If you keep on practising you can get your times tables right all the time, but Math's wrap tells you if you get it wrong.'

He also added 'I took Math's wrap to school to let my friends have a go, they all liked it and wanted one of their own!'
Available from ZooBooKoo

Arnicare Kids Arnica Stick reviewed by Helen from Edinburgh in July 2009

"This is very handy and great to encourage the children to use themselves.   It's tinted green which is apparently  "cool" but also shows them where they have applied it. I actually may need another by the time school starts as we've already been putting it to use during the holidays!  Older children could take this to school with them.  If you're a fan of arnica then this is defnitely worth trying." Available from Boots and other chemists.

Mini Yoropen Set reviewed by Sam from Hampshire in June 2009

"My little girl is at the end of reception and took to the odd looking Yoropen pencils very quickly.  They do look very strange it has to be said!  She has been writing and drawing quite happily with them.  I tried them myself and they are surprisingly comfortable to use."  Visit www.penheaven.co.uk for more details.

Yoropen Ergonominc Ballpoint review from Sammy (aged 8 1/2) from Hampshire

"I really like the new Yoropen. Not only does it come in many fun colours, but it helps my hand writing to be neater. I like the shape of the pen as it is very different. The tip is at an angle so you can rest your thumb on it as you write. It has a silicone sleeve where I grip it which makes it very comfortable especially when I am doing my homework. The pen looks cool as the lid is curved and everyone wanted to see it when I took it to school. I think my teacher will like it lots as she will be able to read my homework!"

Oxford ‘Learn to Write’ Books reviewed by Sam from Hampshire in July 2009

"I wouldn't have picked these books up myself but I've been amazed at how much Alice enjoys them and the improvement in her writing.  It's a very simply concept, age appropriate writing, so patterns for pre-school, letters for key stage 1 and joined up writing for key stage 2, each book has a template with the patterns, letters or words on them that you take out and place under the pages in the book that have boxes on them to trace and then copy free hand.  The boxes get smaller and smaller so you have to be more accurate as you fill the page. Simple but so effective!"    See www.hamelinpaperbrands.co.uk/education for more details.