My twins have loved Elmo since before they could walk. There's something about that red furry monster that just makes a child's entire world light up. A friend of mine got this doll for my kids on their first birthday (she only got them one...so just a hint to all those out there who have friends with twins...buy things in pairs). Anyway I digress. Let me just be honest with you, your kids are going to LOVE this toy, but YOU are going to hate it....here's why:

Kids love it:
First of all kids love it because it's Elmo. Trust me, you can buy them one of those stuffed Elmos that do nothing and they would be OVERJOYED!

On top of being Elmo, the thing talks. You press his belly and he says
"Elmo has a red square on his shirt? Can you find the red square?" and he sings ONE song (don't let the title fool you he may be an awesome character but I'm not sure about "Rockin" when he sings only ONE song.

He's soft. Kids love soft things, blankets, pillows, clothes, bread...you name it...it's soft and they are going to want to hold it.

It's easy for them to operate. (this is a plus for both them and you). You know those plush toys that have the voice box in the big toe or the middle finger of the right hand? Then they have the nerve to say "suitable for children ages 6 months and up! Yeah right! Like my 6 month old has the dexterity and the memory no less to find that little button every time! Then you spend the next 3 months pressing that button every 2 minutes while simultaneously driving yourself to the brink of insanity. Well the button on this one is very large. It's also on Elmo's stomach so they can press it with ease.

Why you will hate it:
You know when your child wants their favorite toy the most? When they go to bed! When I put one of my son's (the one most obsessed with Elmo) to bed with this toy, I realized just why the toy makers put the voice boxes in the toes and fingers of toys. There's nothing like hearing a screaming scared child at 2am because he rolled over on Elmo who insists "ELMO IS SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU!" Yeah so...you can't put them to bed with it, AND you have to listen to your child scream and cry ELMO! ELMO! ELMO! UGH! (Perhaps I should have invested in ear plugs).

How many of your children's toys get dirty? Yeah all of my children's do, ESPECIALLY the soft ones. Sticky stuff, balls of goo that you really can't/don't want to identify UGH! Our "Rockin shapes and Colors Elmo" SERIOUSLY needs a bath. I looked at the tag to determine how to properly clean Elmo. The tag stated that I should wipe off the surface with a rag.....yeah let me tell you something, when your kid is sick...he wants his Elmo...when he vomits all over Elmo a washrag doesn't cut it! So I opened the Velcro in the back to take out the voice-box and throw this thing in the washer. Then I realized something...."what great big plastic eyes you have Elmo!" Yes that's right! Those eyes you see in the picture are huge and PLASTIC. What happens when you stick plastic into the dryer? IT MELTS! What happens when you let something really thick "air dry"? It begins to smell like mold! Ohhh Goodie! Now I get to clean this thing with baby wipes....one bit at a time all the way down to the "root" of Elmo's hair OR throw him in the washer and blow dry him! (When you are done with that he WILL look like he has rabies).

One of the great things about about this toy though is that you won't have to worry constantly about changing the batteries. My children have had this toy for almost a year now...same batteries! (it does come with batteries already inside). I have NO idea what kind of batteries it needs because i've never had to change them! (Hopefully the time to get rid of the toy and the battery death will coincide so I don't have to be bothered with changing them at all)!

Is it the worst toy my children have ever received? NO! By no means is it the worst. I love when my children have something that makes them happy even if it drives me completely batty. I just wish that toy makers would have a pannel of moms take toys home for MONTHS to try them, so that they can really see just how the toy really works and the good side and the bad side. Until they do...I'll help out when I can :). Hope this all helped!

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 23
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months