I guess I didn't read closely enough.  That this product was half the price of the "real" Elf on a Shelf book and doll should have been a tip-off.  This elf is already named - Christopher.  But the story line is the same, the elf is cute... and like I said, the set was half the cost of the "real deal" set!  I bought this for my niece's children, and she said it might actually help that the elf is already named... save a campaign by the kids to name him something off-the-wall!  We're totally happy with our Christopher elf and book!