| Elmo Live is poised to be one of the most popular toys | | | | "most expressive toy" ever. |
| for Christmas 2008. Elmo, a perennial children's favorite, | | | | In fact, his movements and mannerisms so perfectly |
| debuted in the early 1970s on the Sesame Street TV | | | | mimic those of the TV Muppet Elmo that some very |
| show. The muppet has gone on to be one of the | | | | young children might think the robotic toy is literally their |
| most-loved Sesame Street characters, starring in two | | | | red fluffy friend sprung forth from the television to play |
| movies and, at one point, having his own TV show. | | | | with them in person. |
| Initially, children who wanted their very own Elmo could | | | | Elmo Live must be seen to be believed. He sings, |
| play with a small plush doll or a hand puppet. But in | | | | dances, laughs, crosses his legs, waves his arms |
| 1996, a giggling Tickle Me Elmo was released, | | | | around and sneezes. He even sounds just like his |
| becoming one of the most difficult-to-find toys of that - | | | | Sesame Street namesake. And he comes with the six |
| and many other - holiday seasons. | | | | AA batteries needed to power his antics. |
| Now, the makers of Elmo Live are optimistic, despite | | | | It's easy to see why Elmo Live is being added to |
| the weakening economy, that they have created the | | | | holiday gift-giving lists as a must-have toy. |
| must-have toy for Christmas 2008. Elmo Live is a | | | | Unfortunately, he's sold out and back-ordered at many |
| significant departure from Tickle Me Elmo and TMX | | | | stores across the country and at some online sites. |
| Elmo, which was released in 2006. Toy industry | | | | Elmo Live is clearly one red hot Christmas toy, sure to |
| insiders are touting the Fisher-Price animatronic toy as | | | | be a big hit with boys and girls whose parents were |
| "industry changing." Gadget bloggers are calling it the | | | | lucky enough to find one. |