<Tr> <Th> Published in English </Th> <Td> 2005 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> ISBN </Th> <Td> 978 - 0 - 9769907 - 9 - 6 </Td> </Tr> <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> This story describes how Santa's "scout elves" hide in people's homes to watch over events . Once everyone goes to bed, the scout elf flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa the activities, good and bad, that have taken place throughout the day . Before the family wakes up each morning, the scout elf flies back from the North Pole and hides . By hiding in a new spot each morning around the house, the scout elf plays an ongoing game of hide and seek with the family . </P>

When did the elf on the shelf start