Apart from the first three years when he watched quite a bit of the Sesame Street programme and played some of the games on the Net, the boy hasn’t been really connected that much to the characters of the show. The one he knows well is Elmo of course, given the creature’s adorable kiddie voice and laughter. But when it comes to toys, Elmos has never been much of a choice though, given the much bigger competition from the other action heroes. So the only Elmo toy he has is this tiny baby version.

We roled play with that little Elmo quite a lot during his younger days and the boy loved to sleep with the toy by his bed side. But like most other toys, that baby Elmo has relegated to become just an old toy. One that is only left in the basket with the others. It has rarely been dugged out now, except for this photo opportunity and I had to go through many others before I can finally get it out of the basket.

Anyway, we have never thought of getting bigger Elmos for him either. The Tickle Me Elmo was a hot favourite many years ago and I do admit it is kind of cute. My only gripe is that it isn’t that huggable. A bit stiff for my liking. However, even though the newer versions that were introduced were far more interesting in features, I still found them no match for the original Tickle Me Elmo.

So I’m not sure what to make out of the new Elmo Live. According to what I’ve read in the Elmo Live Review, this one is apparently “more alive” than the others ever made.

“It makes sounds too but unlike other Elmo dolls, however, Elmo Live actually has a mouth that moves with the speaking Elmo. And apparently, this mouth is absolutely amazing because not only does it move in tune with the vocals coming out of the doll, it does so completely flawlessly, making you believe that there is actually a hand behind Elmo controlling everything he says and does!”

Something else that is interesting is that this Elmo can actually tell stories, apart from just giggling and laughing! I was amazed to read that this Elmo Live has a list of stories to tell, and he can tell them in perpetual motion, moving continually! Wow, sounds really impressive and I bet many partents are already planning to buy Elmo Live for their children this Christmas.

Well, not us though. I’ll only buy him if he can take my place to teach my son to read and write!