EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Brandon Chan will return to school this week with a spring in his step and a new bag on his shoulders. Last week he received what looks like an over-sized briefcase with shoulder straps - shipped Federal Express from France.
Brandon is not the only student at the French International School equipped with what is known in France as a cartable. Although they are not available in Hong Kong, this book bag is popular among students at the French school.
''He has been asking for one and he is getting to the age where he becomes a little particular,'' Brandon's father, Kennis, said. And although it may seem a small issue, for most students returning to school this week, the type, size, and colour of their bag is important.
Among the smaller children, a brightly coloured bag emblazoned with their favourite idol or cartoon character is currently the trend. Dragon Ball's Son Goku is one such character, although eight-year-old Laurence Hall prefers to tout Jurassic Park on his back.
One of his friends has a Ninja Turtle bag. Another has Felix the Cat. ''My friends have different bags,'' Laurence said. ''Black, yellow, red. I've always wanted to see this film so I got this one.'' Among the very young, there is no set style to which they adhere. Although 10-year-old David Ho's friends like the fiery coloured bags, he prefers the plain ones.
Secondary students look to other designs. At the Island School, the trend among girls seems to be environmental Nepalese cloth bags hung from one shoulder instead of both.