Lyra Ferby (short) Standard 6 Assorted Unlacquered

The pack holds six short Ferby pencils with bare, unlacquered timber shafts. Colours are black, brown, green, blue, red and golden yellow. Each has the triangular barrel and extra thick, highly pigmented lead the Ferby range is known for, so the six core shades give strong, even colour on the page.

Both share the same fat, three sided barrel and bold leads, but this Ferby is the short version, while the Super Ferby is longer. The shorter length suits very small hands and compact cases, whereas the longer pencil lasts through more sharpening. The colouring feel is otherwise the same.

The three flat sides guide thumb and fingers into a correct tripod grip, and the chunky width suits hands still gaining strength. The shape also stops the pencil rolling away on the table. Together these make the short Ferby a steady, forgiving first pencil for toddlers and early drawers learning to colour.

They are unlacquered, meaning the shafts keep bare, untreated timber with no paint or shiny coating. You feel the natural grain as you hold them, and the plain finish keeps all the colour in the thick lead. The matte wood look suits families who prefer a simple, natural style.

The leads are extra thick and heavily pigmented, so one gentle stroke already lays down bold colour. Children can fill large areas fast without hard pressing, and pressing more deepens each tone. The six shades also layer over one another to mix further colours, all without any water since these are dry pencils.

The barrel is wide, so a slim school sharpener will not work. Use a large hole sharpener such as the twin-hole Lyra sharpener, which takes 1cm triangular shafts. Turn slowly and stop once a point forms so the soft, thick core does not snap off.

Six well chosen shades cover most early pictures and keep choices simple for young children. Black and brown handle outlines and earth tones, while red, blue, green and yellow give the bright basics. You can top up later with brighter or metallic tones as a child wants more range.