Stationery wagon: Bag to school

An army of 650,000 students march back to school in the UAE after their long summer break. They’ve already invaded thousands of shops nationwide, buying the latest backpacks, stationery and lunchboxes. Let us sifts through the mountain of school supplies in town and discover the latest craze, great bargains and rare items.

Quirky stuff

In a world where everything is mass produced, children have to shop like discerning adults if they really want to stand apart from the crowd. The effort pays off on the first day of school, when classmates circle around to see strange items that no one else has.

Magic pen: Want to write notes in class that only your friends can see? The Magic Pen uses invisible ink that can only be seen by someone else with the same pen. The cap is actually a small ultraviolet light that reacts with the ink, making it appear for a short while.

Available at Daiso, Lamcy Plaza, Dubai, for Dh6

Jumbo Pencil: This is the must-have pencil if you want to send a message to bullies – or write only a word or two. The huge pencil uses real wood and lead, and is about the size of a child’s arm. Though the lead may not wear out anytime soon, you’ll need a chainsaw to sharpen its writing end.

Available at Daiso, Lamcy Plaza, Dubai, for Dh6

Nosy sharpeners: Ever just feel like sticking a pencil up your nose and twisting it? Now’s your chance. This funny nose-shaped pencil sharpener is life-sized and life-like and rarely requires wiping.

Available at www.orientaltrading.com, for Dh22

Lucky haul: Lamcy Plaza will give Dh10,000 cash to five children in a lucky draw on September 14. Mall customers get one coupon for every Dh100 purchase on school items at any outlet.

* Which novelty is on your child’s must list for their school bag? Vote in our poll.

Superheroes vs cartoons

Comic book heroes and cartoon characters have always gone hand-in-hand with school accessories. Sure enough most kids carry their favourite superhero to class – on their bags, pencil cases and water bottles. Though classics like Spiderman and the Disney line-up have been a favourite, a new generation of characters is now vying for attention. Here’s what the kids said.

"I’ve grown up with Barbie. I know her ever since I can remember. She’s always happy. I think other [characters] are nice also, but they’re too strange"

Mobina Moghiss, 6, Iranian 

The 48-year-old queen of dolls – Barbie – which appeared in 1959 is facing stiff competition from 25cm-tall Bratz. Now movie stars and pop artists as well as Bratz are much closer to actual teen fashion and behaviour, children say. The Bratz even have a separate line-up for kids, pets and boys.

"Bratz are more like [real] children – Barbie is too nice. I especially like Sasha because she’s always playing funny tricks"

Eashani Sengupta, 9, Indian

 "My only number one hero is Ben 10. Spiderman and Superman are old. Ben 10 is a kid like me, but he has alien powers in his watch. He can change into any alien with more powers than anyone else"

Tushar Singh, 7, Indian