We purchased this backpack for kindergarten this year and so far have not really used it much.  The backpack is really very cute and a nice size for a little kid.  We love that Crocodile Creek has cute designs, and they have lots, that aren't so "commercial."  It seems sturdy enough for a student who will not be carrying a large or heavy load of books; ours rarely carries more than a couple of folders and a show and tell item.  Now, the zippers are all plastic and frankly I could see them not being that forgiving, in other works they don't look that sturdy.  The fabric is also not as sturdy or thick as you might get from a forty or fifty dollar backpack.  This backpack is clearly more in the novelty category versus the carry your expensive laptop category.  It is very roomy though, has a nice mesh water bottle pocket on the side, and the smaller pocket in front (the one with the horse pictures on it) has nice pen pockets and compartments as well as a place to put your name and information.  In case you can't see from the picture, the green strip over the top of the backpack (behind the main compartment zipper) is printed with the names of various horse breeds.  Overall, a great value for a horse loving little kid.