This post and the next post are going to focus on some excellent gifts available at Levenger, a company that describes themselves as “Tools for Serious Readers”. Back in the 1980s, Levenger had a lot of products that focused around fine pens, notebooks, and stationery. They still do those things, but what’s cool is that they’ve jumped into the 21st century and have phone cases and iPad accessories. This one is one of my favorites.
Now if you’re like me, you love your iPad. And if you’re like me, you bought that foldable magnetic “smart cover” and then had a tinge of buyer’s remorse after realizing you paid $70 for a cheap piece of plastic.
The smart cover is nice in its own ways, but I have a hard enough time getting it to stand up on a table; it’s virtually impossible to stand it up while sitting up in bed or on the couch. And so I end up awkwardly holding it or contorting my body so that I can put it flat and read it.
Enter this product called the “Thai-Pad”. And the best way I can describe it is that it’s like a comfy sofa for your iPad (or for those who prefer books not powered by batteries, it serves as a bookrest too).
You can literally sit up in bed and put this soft, plushy holder on your lap, and watch whatever TV show marathon you like in complete comfort.
The Thai Pad comes tightly wrapped in plastic.
You unfold it to find a very sturdy but lightweight pillow that unfolds so that one part lies flat and the other part is raised to the perfect angle for reading or watching video.
Here’s my iPad resting comfortably on it. Doesn’t it look comfy?
What very cool (and why they call it a Thai Pad) is that this was made entirely by artisans in a village in northeastern Thailand. The design for the iPad holder is actually a centuries-old design for a floor pillow that’s been miniaturized and made into a pillow to hold books. Levenger had the foresight to realize that as good as it is for holding books, it’s even better for holding iPads.
What’s more, Levenger will make a donation, based on sales of the Thai Pad, to the International Reading Association‘s literacy programs in Thailand.
