After throwing away many colored pencils because they didn't sharpen well or the tips kept breaking or the colors were faded, I bought this Faber-Castell set for my little girl in first grade and we really saw a difference. The colors are vibrant, the tip is soft and doesn't break when sharpened, and it "glides" as you draw. They are definitely more expensive than other brands, but I believe they are worth their money, she has kept them for longer than any others and she draws more than ever!