Review on Bixbee Girls Backpack Sparkalicious Butterflyer by Monica Kittling

After reading many reviews I eagerly ordered this bag for my VERY petite first grader. When this bag arrived we were so excited! It was more charming in person and my little girl shined in it. It didn't sag and seemed like a really comfortable fit. Seems to be great quality. HOWEVER, as soon as I bought items from their list of school supplies, I realized we had a sizing issue. Unfortunately, "small" actually means small, and I should have paid more attention to the size. We can't conveniently fit a standard pocket file in a backpack. In the attached photos you can see that the corners of the folder protrude beyond the opening of the tote bag. If you bend the folder and pull the pocket tightly over it, you can tuck the folder all the way in and then zip it up. BUT when I asked my little girl to try it, she couldn't wiggle the folder in her backpack at all, let alone bend it enough to close it. I also plan to send her a water bottle to school every day and it was IMPOSSIBLE to put the water bottle in the side mesh pocket. If I REALLY stretched it to the limit I could barely squeeze a regular disposable plastic water bottle in - even it wouldn't slide all the way down because it was so tight. I also took some shots next to a standard sized lunch box. We could put a lunch box in a bag, but basically nothing else that size would fit (think things like folders, books, jacket, etc.). And again we really had to push it in; and I'm pretty sure you don't want to crush your lunch bag. Overall, an extra inch or two in each direction would make this bag PERFECT for my preschooler. But as it is, it's just too small. I'm sending it back and ordering a large pink - upset that she wouldn't have wings but even my five year old knew it wouldn't work for her needs. I think it would be a great option for preschoolers or even just a cute bag for trips to grandma's or a road trip or something. Although it's not entirely practical for elementary school. I still give five stars because it's all that is advertised and it was my fault for not analyzing the measurements.