T.M.X. Elmo
From LoveToKnow Kids
Brief History of Elmo
Elmo first appeared on Sesame Street in the early 70s, but his character was not fully developed until the mid 80s. Since then, the red muppet with the singsong voice has been a favorite with toddlers and preschoolers, largely because he seems like a preschooler himself. Elmo's innocent curiosity and childlike speech earned him hordes of young fans, and he was eventually given his own segment, Elmo's World.
The character's popularity reached fever pitch in 1996, when Fisher Price launched Tickle Me Elmo. The furry doll would wiggle and vibrate with tickled, much to the delight of his many preschool fans. The next decade saw several variations of Elmo toys, but none of them matched the extreme popularity of Tickle Me.
Announcing T.M.X. Elmo
From a Parent's Perspective
There is no denying that Elmo is great fun and will amuse many children endlessly. However, despite the manufacturer's recommended age range of 18 months to 4 years, some younger children find Elmo's hyper animation frightening.
Parents should also be aware that T.M.X. Elmo is, by necessity, a rather hard and uncuddly toy. If you are looking for a soft sleep toy, keep searching. On the other hand, parents seeking a lively entertainer will not be disappointed.
T.M.X. Elmo uses 6 "AA" batteries. While "AA" batteries are relatively inexpensive, they seem to be drained rather quickly in this toy. Luckily, Elmo has an "off" switch, which, if used, can help conserve battery life. Rechargeable batteries are another moneysaving option.
Buying Elmo
Due to the cloud of secrecy surrounding T.M.X. Elmo's release, the toy has been hard to find. Enterprising business people bought the toys and are now selling them at a huge profit. In fact, many are being sold on eBay and other sites for well over $100. The adorable muppet is still available, though, and at a much lower price, although supplies are limited. Visit the Fisher Price web site to find a retailer near you.
Barbie and Elmo
Can't decide between Barbie and Elmo? You don't have to! In a stroke of marketing genius, Mattel created Barbie with T.M.X. Elmo. Barbie is wearing a mini skirt and an Elmo tee and comes with a miniature T.M.X. Elmo.
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