I have been a fan of sesame street since I was a little girl. My favorite character was actually Big bird and although sesame street isn't played on the tv any more the toys etc still seem popular but you do tend to see elmo more than anyone of the other characters.

When I had my daughter I actually couldnt wait to be able to buy her all the new toys. When I was little I was lucky enough to have anything I wanted and I wanted the same for my daughter so when I saw this in the local ELC she just had to have it.

The toy does suggest 18 months old and she was only 4 months but I suggested that my in laws brought it anyway as they didn't know what to buy and I thought this was more a toy for mummy.

When he arrived on christmas day I was so excited and my daughter actually was aswell. She was amazed with his big fluffy red head and just wanted to cuddle him. He was so cute and friendly.

I must admit, although I wanted this for my daughter I would never have paid the £60 shops were asking for it. Although I didnt know what it did I knew there was only so much a toy could do for £60. We were lucky enough to pick this up in the local Costco for £49 and I thought this was a more reasonable price for a toy my four month old daughter was going to play with probably only a few times.

I am however extrememly disappointed with Elmo. He tells a few stories and has a few sayings and although he moves well and is quite 'life like' he does tend to fall over quite often (asking you to pick him up of course and then thanking you for it) and there are of course limited things he can say, after all he is only a toy. He takes a huge quantity of batteries (8) which are hard to change and which run out quicker than you can say Bob is your uncle. I think this toy will eventually cost me double what I paid for it in batterys brought from the pound shop.

This toy can be brought from most reputable toy shops but I would avoid it unless you can get it for a really good price because he really is not worth the £60 shops are asking for it. I am not saying that he isn't cute because he certainly is and a lovely toy, and may be I am being cynical because my daughter isn't getting her use from it but please just be aware that he is not all that he seems before you buy him.