<P> The Elf on the Shelf : A Christmas Tradition is a 2005 children 's picture book , written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell , and illustrated by Coë Steinwart . The book tells a Christmas - themed story , written in rhyme , that explains how Santa Claus knows who is naughty and who is nice . It describes elves visiting children between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve , after which they return to the North Pole until the next holiday season . The Elf on the Shelf comes in a keepsake box that features a hardbound picture book and a small soft toy in the form of a pixie scout elf . </P>
<P> The Elf on the Shelf : A Christmas Tradition is a 2005 children 's picture book , written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell , and illustrated by Coë Steinwart . The book tells a Christmas - themed story , written in rhyme , that explains how Santa Claus knows who is naughty and who is nice . It describes elves visiting children between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve , after which they return to the North Pole until the next holiday season . The Elf on the Shelf comes in a keepsake box that features a hardbound picture book and a small soft toy in the form of a pixie scout elf . </P>
when does the elf on a shelf appear
when does the elf on a shelf appear
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving