Elf on the Shelf

Poseable Vinyl Head Elves (Elf on the Shelf)

So what is the relationship between the book The Elf on the Shelf and the vintage felt elves of the late 50s and 60s?

While I searched the Elf on the Shelf website for the answer to this, I found this video backstory on the writing of the Elf on the Shelf book.

Now we know that the vinyl headed felt knee huggers WERE the inspiration for the book.