The Amazing Mumford Forgets the Magic Words!

The Amazing Mumford Forgets the Magic Words!
By Patricia Thackrayillustrated by Normand Chartier1979

Oh 1970’s Sesame Street, how I love thee! Grover and Oscar were by far my favorite but why in the world am I not familiar with The Amazing Mumford! His earliest known appearance was in 1971 and he appeared pretty regularly until about 1978 and then POOF! He just disappeared for nearly a decade. Turns out, this whole time he was The Counts neighbor! Eh, I suppose I was too young to have been able to have seen him and by 1987 too old to have paid much attention. My hubby came across this lovely golden book on one of his thrifting expeditions. The Boog loves it because she gets to yell out nonsense. Why not? You're only young once.

Anyhoo, the story begins with Mumford getting hit on the head before a big performance causing temporary amnesia. He then announces, "I, the Amazing Mumford, will now perform my most famous feat -- the rabbit-in-the-hat trick!" He waves his wand over his top hat, but can't remember the magic phrase.

He tries, "A la... turkey club sandwiches!", and a duck appears. "Hot pastrami sandwiches" brings a gorilla out of the hat, "tuna salad sandwiches" pulls out Cookie Monster driving a train, and "bacon-lettuce-and-tomato sandwiches" causes Rodeo Rosie to appear, riding a horse and lassoing a calf.

He then tries "A la... meatball-hero-sandwiches!" This makes Super Grover appear, carrying a lunchbox. Super Grover pulls a peanut butter sandwich out of his lunchbox, which reminds Mumford of the correct magic words. "A la... peanut butter sandwiches!" A rabbit appears, bringing the Amazing Mumford's act to a triumphant conclusion!

Here is "Mumfy" and Grover doing the famous rabbit out of the hat trick...... Mumford has trouble getting a rabbit to come out of his hat; both are oblivious to the fact that Grover gradually turns into one! Classic Sesame Street schtick at its greatest!