<P> On 26 November 2011 , the book aired on CBS as a 30 - minute animated TV show , An Elf 's Story : The Elf on the Shelf , directed by Chad Eikhoff . The Washington Post criticized the quality of the animation and dismissed it as `` just a half - hour advertisement for a book and a toy '' , which it felt would not join `` the canon of prime - time animated Christmas specials that actually move the spirit '' . Common Sense Media disagreed , calling the special `` a great addition to families ' holiday TV traditions '' ; however , they also warn parents about the consumer - driven nature of the story , and make note of its lack of educational value . </P>
<P> On 26 November 2011 , the book aired on CBS as a 30 - minute animated TV show , An Elf 's Story : The Elf on the Shelf , directed by Chad Eikhoff . The Washington Post criticized the quality of the animation and dismissed it as `` just a half - hour advertisement for a book and a toy '' , which it felt would not join `` the canon of prime - time animated Christmas specials that actually move the spirit '' . Common Sense Media disagreed , calling the special `` a great addition to families ' holiday TV traditions '' ; however , they also warn parents about the consumer - driven nature of the story , and make note of its lack of educational value . </P>
when was the elf on the shelf movie made
when was the elf on the shelf movie made
2011
2011