Hokey Pokey Elmo is a shiny, red plush just like the real Elmo. Hokey Pokey Elmo comes to life with 2 modes of play: Singing and dancing the Hokey Pokey in one mode, and playing the music faster and faster while trying to keep up in the other mode. Hokey Pokey Elmo performs all the parts of the popular song. He will put his foot/leg in and out, he will put his hand/arm in and shakes it all about with his adorable, signature shake from Tickle Me Elmo. He also dances in a full circle!

What's the No. 1 group dance for the pre-school set? Hint: it's not the "Electric Slide" or "Cotton-Eyed Joe." You guessed it, and so did Elmo: the "Hokey Pokey." Though Elmo doing the "Slide" would be a sight to see, he masters the Pokey quite convincingly, to the probable delight of his toddling fans. After loading his foot with four "AA" batteries, press his hand and he performs the popular jig. He sticks out both his right hand and foot, shakes his body all about, then smoothly spins in place, thanks to a rotating platform under one foot. Elmo even spices up the beat, and sporadically speeds up the action; both innovations crank up the fun factor. The only downside: he was de-plushed, presumably because of all the mechanisms needed to help him dance and maintain balance. The result, still, is an impressive performance. He's just not very cuddly. --Diane Beall