As always I am emerging from February feeling as if it never happened. Anyone else feeling hazy? All I do know is that things slowed down a bit in the shop (okay well, except for weekends...and right around Valentine's Day...) and I was able to have those truly one-on-one moments with customers again. Seriously, you guys are the best. 

While it's always a blast to meet musicians, writers, illustrators, and just plain pencil fanatics, I can't help but favorite a certain type of customer.
The kids.

It is one of the coolest experiences helping children pick out pencils. Mostly because I am continuously in awe that our store attracts and connects customers of all ages. But also because I will never get tired of opening up our test desk drawers and cheerfully remarking, "allllll of the pencils are in here to try!" to a starry-eyed child. The moments they spend in the shop are always fun and always uninhibited. I mean, just look at some of the pages they fill in our test book -

In short, I'm a strong believer in picking a pencil that feels right for you - no matter your age. After all, pencils are a very physical tool. But here are a few tips 'n' tricks I often pass along to parents when helping pick out the perfect "kid-friendly" pencil:

• Feels comfortable when writing (for those struggling to correctly hold a pencil, we suggest something larger and triangular shaped)
• Won't break under mighty little kid pressure
• Writes dark enough to be seen by adults
• Doesn't smudge all over the place

• Staedtler Noris Ergosoft 2B or the Learner's Jumbo Pencil
• General's Big Boy Bowler
• Musgrave Triangular Finger Fitter
• General's Cedar Pointe #2
• Caran D'Ache School Pencil
• Mitsubishi Master Writing
• Moon Products Try-Rex Jumbo

And here are the all stars chosen most frequently this month by the little pencil enthusiasts (it seems aesthetics are a driving factor):

• Futura #2
• Gold Pentagonal Pencil
• Nataraj Marble Pencil
• Caran D'Ache Jumbo Highlighter
• Viking Mikro Tiny Pencil
• Viking Jumbo Election Pencil
• Koh-I-Noor Magic Pencil - in Neon

Our shop studies also show that kids are a big fan of grips, which is awesome because they are very useful in aiding little ones to hold pencils correctly. 

• Kum Sattler Pencil Grip (for jumbo pencils too!)
• Moon Products Grip

And last, but certainly not least, here are some eraser favorites for those small & not so small mistakes:

• Jumbo Sumo Plastic Eraser 
• Matomaru-Kun Eraser in Gold or Long