...but they still deliver on quality, in my experience. 64 different coloured, 'short-length', ready-to-use pencils, each measuring around 8.5 cm. Because of their size they may not appeal to all but I was determined to extend my CRAYOLA collection by the 14 extra colours over and above those in my treasuredbox of 50 full-length pencils , namely: * AMETHYST * AUROMETALSAURUS (A shade of grey!) * BABY BLUE * BALL BLUE * DOLLAR BILL * ELECTRIC GREEN * GUPPIE GREEN * MEAT BROWN * PLATINUM * ROSE RED * SANDSTORM * SPIRO DISCO BALL * TOOLBOX * UFO GREEN Impeccably packed for safe transport, the 64 dinky little colouring pencils come in a cardboard box, easily recognisable in the regular CRAYOLA colours, measuring around 14.5 cm x 12 cm x 3 cm. Inside the pencils have cardboard separators and are simply staged, showing 8 x 8, so all are visible and each is reasonably easy to select, depending on the age and patience of the user. Each is simply embossed with 'CRAYOLA' in gold colouring on one side of the self-coloured rounded barrel. There is no other detail, i.e. the colour name. The diameter is the same as the full-length pencil, and considering the relative thickness of the core each sharpens to a reasonable point (but not lethal) easily with a quality manual sharpener, when required. A single layer of colour is strong, especially on the darker colours, due to their relative softness. Arguably...because of this...they do appear to wear down quicker than some other brands. Speaking of sharpening, there is the added bonus of a built-in sharpener at one end of the box, although it is hardly noticeable on a cursory glance! The sharpener is on the plastic side but is efficient enough. The shavings are usefully collected in a removable compartment at the end of the box, but this is quite a small area and needs emptying regularly. As a note of caution, minute bits of colour can escape quite easily from this area. I only tend to use this facility if really essential. Having said that, it is better than nothing, if out and about without a sharpener. Alternatively, it is possible to remove this compartment completely and still have a sturdy enough box. ooOoo Detail from the box: 'Crayola Eco-Evolution Here are just some of the ways Crayola is conserving energy and making the products you love in a more environmentally friendly way. ♦ Made with reforested wood. Crayola colored pencils have been made from reforested wood since 1987. For every tree used, a new one is planted - keeping forests green and healthy. And we don't use rainforest woods or endangered species. ♦ Solar panels provide enough energy to make one billion crayons each year. Starting Spring 2011, additional panels provide energy to make half a billion markers in the U.S.A. ♦ Using recycled plastic in our products keeps hundreds of tons of plastic out of landfills each year. ♦ Made in Brazil. ♦ Nontoxic ♦ Contents and colors may vary.' ooOoo (One of the extra images shows this 'short' size compared to the 'full-length' version (light blue) borrowed from the aforementioned box of 50 for comparison, if this is important in deciding on a purchase).
