Today, 2.5 billion people don’t have access to toilets. Investing in sanitation leads to healthier people and stronger communities. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Water, Sanitation & Hygiene program focuses on the development of tools and technologies that can lead to radical and sustainable improvements in sanitation in the developing world. An important component is reaching children and families with critical health messages. A new grant to Sesame Workshop will promote hygiene and sanitation among children and families in Bangladesh, India, and Nigeria. Cookie Monster was so excited to work with the Gates Foundation that he sat down with the Impatient Optimist, the foundation’s blog, and answered a few questions. Sesame Workshop looks forward to working with the Gates Foundation in the coming years.

Impatient Optimist: Cookie Monster, we know you are very busy. Why have you taken the time to speak with us today?

Cookie Monster: Well, me heard that if me be very patient, there will be chocolate chip cookies available at the end of this interview. Me not see them yet, but me optimistic.

IO: We know you’re a cookie enthusiast. Can you tell us your cookie eating ritual?

Cookie Monster: Me cookie eating reputation precedes me. Of course me have ritual! First me wash hands. This part very important because it help keep me healthy. Me not sure exactly how long me wash, but me sing the ABCs slowly and when me get to Z, it time to rinse and then look out, om nom nom nom nom. Me also like to share me cookies with Elmo and Big Bird. Little known secret, a birdseed cookie is delicious.

IO: You have traveled all over the world to places like Asia, Australia, Africa—where is your favorite place to go?

Cookie Monster: Well, me favorite place in the whole-wide-world is Sesame Street, of course. But you are right, me global traveler. On the plane, me fly Monster Class—it is luxurious space in the overhead bin. Me not a picky traveler. Me just like to see places where children and monsters are all healthy and happy.

IO: What’s your favorite thing about living on Sesame Street?

Cookie Monster: Me have so many favorites. Me love learning new things, doing Monster pilates, washing me fur at the laundromat (me prefer gentle cycle), but most of all, me love when visitors stop by—especially with cookies. Hey, if you’re planning on being in the area, feel free to stop by and say hi—me will show you Cookie eating ritual too.

The Sesame Workshop Blog

Cookie Monster and the Sesame Workshop team got together to make this video. We hope you all enjoy it!

The Sesame Workshop Blog

The Sesame Street Muppets were there last week to teach George Stephanopoulos and the rest of the GMA crew a few recipes from Sesame Street’s new cookbook B is for Baking. While everyone was trying some of Elmo’s red velvet cupcakes – made with healthy, hot pink beat puree instead of food coloring – Elliott came onto set and tried out a cookie. He was surprised to find that the cookies weren’t Bert’s lemony oat sugar cookies, Ernie’s All-American snickerdoodles, or any of the other tasty treats that can be found in B is for Baking. Instead it was the prop cookies that Cookie Monster devours during each episode of Sesame Street.

Although children watching at home think they’re real cookies, the performers have always used cookies that include no sugar and as little oil as possible. Real cookies are avoided because the oil could discolor or damage Cookie Monster’s fur.

The Sesame Workshop Blog