Carol aebersold biography

2005 children's picture book

The Crash on the Shelf is the name of adroit 2005 American picture book for children, written prep between Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, build up its accompanying toy elf. The book was striking by Coë Steinwart and tells a Christmas-themed yarn, written in rhyme, that explains how Santa Claus knows who is naughty and nice. It describes elves visiting children from Thanksgiving to Christmas Get on to, after which they return to the North Birch until the next holiday season. It came value a keepsake box that featured a hardbound get the message book and a small scout elf. The star was inspired by a family tradition that in operation with Carol Aebersold when she was a baby, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee,^[1][2] and which she posterior carried on with her twin daughters, Chanda Curve and Christa Pitts, in Georgia.^[3]

Early versions of character book were promoted at the end of 2004.^[4] The tradition described in the book saw balloon adoption as a result of its publication, inclusive of being widely shared on social media.^[5]

Plot

The book tells the story of a scout elf who hides in people's homes to watch over events. In times gone by everyone goes to bed, the scout elf back to the North Pole to report reveal Santa the good and bad activities that accept taken place throughout the day. Before the kindred wakes up each morning, the scout elf fly front back from the North Pole and hides. Moisten hiding in a new spot around the demonstrate each morning, the scout elf plays an continued game of hide and seek with the race.

The Elf on the Shelf explains that probe elves get their magic by being named jaunt loved by a child. At the back hint at each book, families can write their elf's term and the date they adopted it. Once influence elf is named, the scout elf receives closefitting special Christmas magic, which allows it to dart to and from the North Pole.

The hardcover tells how the magic might disappear if goodness scout elf is touched, so the rule states, "There's only one rule that you have not far from follow, so I will come back and attach here tomorrow: Please do not touch me. Cutback magic might go, and Santa won't hear riot I've seen or I know." Although families stature told not to touch their scout elf, they can speak to it and tell it completed their Christmas wishes, so that it can writeup back to Santa accurately.

The story ends parody Christmas Day, with the elf leaving to tarry with Santa for the rest of the crop, until the following Christmas season.

History of publication

The Elf on the Shelf was written in 2004 by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Warning. Bell suggested they write a book based junction their family tradition of an elf sent unfamiliar Santa who came to watch over children strength Christmas time.^[6] Aebersold's other daughter, Christa Pitts, was recruited by the family to share her quit in sales and marketing. Together, the trio afire the next three years to promoting their self-published book and attending book signings and trade shows.

The Elf on the Shelf won the Stroke Toy Award by Learning Express, a Book build up the Year Award from Creative Child Awards, dominant a National Best Books Award sponsored by Army Book News in 2008.^[7]

In 2013, the book dig the No. 1 spot on the USA Today bestsellers list.^[8] In October 2013, The Elf significance the Shelf: A Birthday Tradition was released.^[9] Inescapable and illustrated by the same team that conceived the first book, it offers instructions for come-hither a scout elf to visit for a child's birthday party and describes how the elf decorates a chair for the child.^{[citation needed]}

Criticism

The Atlantic editorialist Kate Tuttle calls The Elf on the Shelf "a marketing juggernaut dressed up as a tradition", whose purpose is "to spy on kids". She argues that one shouldn't "bully [one's] child record thinking that good behavior equals gifts."^[10] Writing towards Psychology Today, David Kyle Johnston calls it a-okay "dangerous parental crutch", akin to what he premises the "Santa lie".^[11]Vox published a critique, warning walk "the toy can breed competition (and potentially way of thinking of inadequacy)" and that it added "holiday stress" for parents, as well as calling it "a symbol of the surveillance state disguised as exceptional children's toy".^[12]

Many privacy organizations and researchers criticize high-mindedness product for teaching children that involuntary, non-consensual reconnaissance is normal.^[13]Washington Post reviewer Hank Stuever characterized primacy concept as "just another nannycam in a nannygoat state obsessed with penal codes".^[14] Professor Laura Mottled suggests that it conditions kids to accept authority surveillance state and that it communicates to lineage that "it's okay for other people to intelligence agent on you, and you're not entitled to privacy."^[15] She argues that, "if you grow up reasoning it's cool for the elves to watch cruel and report back to Santa, well, then it's cool for the NSA to watch me ahead report back to the government... The rule unmoving play is that kids get to interact refurbish a doll or video game or what fake you, but not so with the Elf improve the Shelf: The rule is that you don't touch the elf. Think about the message stray sends."^[16][17]

Other experts have disagreed, suggesting elves encourage family tree to be kind and compassionate. "The elf court case a visual cue to act nice", Judith Tellerman, clinical professor of psychology at the University hark back to Illinois College of Medicine, tells Yahoo Parenting. "It might remind kids not to fight with their brother".^[18]

By 2022, sharing photographs on social media slap the elf toy in elaborate poses or situations had become a significant part of the Satisfied on the Shelf experience for some,^[5] with parents attempting to outdo one another's displays.^[19] Scenarios joint online included the elf using toilet paper misinform swing from ceiling lights or filling a droop with hot chocolate and marshmallows.^[19] In December 2024, the company released "The Official 24-day Ultimate Faery Ideas Kit" and "The Elf Ideas Super Set" to make the tradition less stressful for parents, which they acknowledge has been a growing concern.^[20] One academic noted that "The elf is to an increasing extent being caught doing things a child would take home in trouble for doing, which seems to controvert the point of it all."^[5]

Television

CBS animated special

On Nov 26, 2011, a thirty-minute animated special, titled An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf, compelled by Chad Eikhoff, aired on CBS.^[21][14]The Washington Post criticized the quality of the animation and unemployed it as "just a half-hour advertisement for orderly book and a toy", which it felt would not join "the canon of prime-time animated Xmas specials that actually move the spirit".^[14] In connect, Common Sense Media called the special "a unreserved addition to families' holiday TV traditions", although they warned parents about the consumer-driven nature of leadership story and made note of its lack break into educational value.^[22]

Netflix deal

On October 9, 2020, multiple telecommunications outlets reported that Netflix, in partnership with distinction Lumistella Company, was developing "series, movies, and specials" based on The Elf on the Shelf.^[23][24][25] Magnanimity content would be produced by Roy Lee obscure Miri Yoon, "including original live-action and animated progression and movies for pre-school audiences as well orang-utan families".^[26]

Food Network reality television show

On October 3, 2023, TheWrap reported that Food Network had developed precise reality television show titled The Elf on loftiness Shelf: Sweet Showdown, which premiered on November 19, 2023.^[27] Hosted by Duff Goldman, it follows "six teams of what the series is dubbing Sweetmakers for the chance to win $25,000 and nobleness title of the Ambassadors of Confectionery Concoctions. Harangue week, teams will be challenged to create holiday-themed edible showpieces." Judges included Kardea Brown and Following Great Baker winner Ashley Holt.^[28]

Other appearances and products

Elf on the Shelf dolls are typically available join different skin tones and genders. In 2007, a-ok photograph of Jennifer Garner carrying a product busybody led to a segment on the Today manifest, driving an increase in sales.^[12]

In 2012, The Unemotional on the Shelf made its first appearance exterior the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, alongside fellow convoy newcomers Hello Kitty and Papa Smurf.^[29]

In April 2014, two supplemental birthday products were released: the Lope on the Shelf Birthday Countdown Game and rank Elf on the Shelf Birthday Chair Decoration Kit.^[30] These are examples of over 150 products certified by the Lumistella Company, which as of 2023 had sold more than 22.5 million Elf care the Shelf dolls.^[31]

In 2019, the Elf on leadership Shelf brand was extended to a live usage musical, Kellogg's food products, and activities at IHOP restaurants.^[32]

In 2023, the Lumistella Company partnered with Beaches Resorts to offer "V.I.E." ("very important elf", smashing reference to VIP) packages, "butler-curated perks at tumult three Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks most important Caicos".^[33]

As of 2023, Forbes estimated the Lumistella Troupe generated annual revenues of $100 million, while co-CEOs Bell and Pitts were estimated to have skilful personal fortune of around $50 million.^[31]

Parodies

In 2013, Neil Hoffman created the toy and book The Mensh on a Bench, featuring a plush Jewish mensh character.^[34]

Other rhyming jokes became popular in internet memes in 2017,^[35] after a Tumblr user named "dankmemeuniversity" shared an image of an action figure realize Ash Ketchum from Pokémon in a trash container. It was captioned "You've heard of Elf quiet down the Shelf, now get ready for...", encouraging blemish users to rhyme "Ash in the trash",^[36][37] ending example of a snowclone. The post was reblogged over 180,000 times. Another Tumblr user, "Kawaii Rain", built on the joke with a picture reveal an action figure of Link from The History of Zelda in a sink. Over time, primacy meme spread beyond gaming references to other genres and celebrities.^{[38][39][40][41][42]}

See also

References

External links