Already in October it was abundantly clear that Mattel’s “Elmo” toys would be amongst the hottest sellers for under the tree (how many years in a row is it now????). “Elmo” has veritably made an industry out of interactive singing-and-dancing figures, breathing new life into a plush toy genre that was running a bit low on gas prior to “Elmo’s” introduction from the reels of Sesame Street.
With each new year, a new breed of interactive-“Elmo” hits the store shelves, and this year, the choices are plentiful. For the core 18-month to four-year age group, the most popular “Elmo” of the year will undoubtedly be “Hokey Pokey Elmo,” the delightfully mobile limbs of which operate independently as “Elmo” puts his “right foot in…” puts his “left foot in…” and he “shakes it all about…”
Yet “Hokey Pokey” is not alone in the “Elmo” camp – also this year Mattel released “Chicken Dance Elmo” and for the younger set, “Guess What? Elmo,” rated from ages three months to four years. Regardless of the age of your kids this year, there will be an “Elmo” that fits the bill for cutesy action this season.
Yet even “Elmo” is beginning to look a bit long in the tooth in the age of “Robosapien” and “Tamagotchi.” Surprisingly enough for a massive toy company, Fisher-Price has already responded to the robotics craze of recent years by issuing “Toby the Totbot,” a robotic toy for toddlers that is much more forthcoming than “Robosapien” and his ilk. Indeed, “Toby” resembles “Elmo” insofar as his primary modus operandi is to sing and dance, and hey, if he teaches toddlers letters, numbers, and shapes along the way, all the better, right?
Perhaps even more appealing to little ones who prefer their friends soft and cuddly instead of metallic and clinical, Fisher-Price’s “Laugh & Learn Learning Puppy” again borrows chapters from both “Elmo” and this year’s ubiquitous robot. This puppy is decidedly soft and huggable, and unlikely to frighten babies like some of the more “energetic” of the dancing bunch.
“Laugh & Learn Learning Puppy” is programmed with ten all-time favorite songs and games, with the dog’s collar lighting up in response to the music. Songs include classic hits of the under-two crowd: Itsy-Bitsy Spider, Pat-a-Cake, This Little Puppy Went to Market, If You're Happy and You Know It, Do Your Ears Hang Low?, and Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes. Moreover, this puppy replicates many of the alphabet and counting lessons of the “Totbot,” along with teaching colors and body parts. “Laugh & Learn Learning Puppy” is an innocuous and low-key treat to beleaguered parents of the noisy dancing crowd!
Regardless of the age of your child, and his or her predilection toward noisy fun or relaxed entertainment, Fisher-Price is covering the bases again this year. There is really no need to shop anywhere else for the under-five child on your list this year – “Elmo,” “Totbot” and “Laugh & Learn Learning Puppy” have got all of the bases covered for Holiday 2004.
