. ♪ something something nice >> reporter: sonia manzano, who's played maria on "sesame street" for overars. what is it that every child in the world seems to connect with? >> he is absolutely positive. things cannot go wrong. you can effects it and elmo is going to make things well. >> reporter: at only 18 inches elmo stands tall in the pantheon of jim henson's muppet creations. oh my golly. this one is for me. >> noses, mustaches. >> hello, how are you? >> reporter: kevin maintains the henson legacy. >> that's what's inside of elmo's arms. >> reporter: oh, really? >> beads. >> reporter: perhaps the only regret for a man who entertained the world's children is that his own child after his divorce felt neglected. she actually came to you and said, dad, you need to pay attention to me. >> yeah, a child can do that to you in a second. bring you right back down. >> yeah. >> and she did, and we're the better for it. >> reporter: yet the hours are still long. at public events kevin makes sure elmo greets nearly each and every child. >> knock, knock. >> who's there? >> kangaroo. >> kangaroo wh