are elf on the shelf really alive

*Elf on the Shelf is a popular toy that is part of a series of books. The books are about a toy elf who watches a child's behavior during the holidays and reports back to Santa. The toy elf is not actually alive, but it is designed to look like it is. It is a toy that can be placed on a shelf or anywhere else in a home. The toy elf is made of fabric and plastic and can be posed in different ways.*