Sold Viewed Playful New: Tricksters

The month of April starts out with April Fool's Day, but there are many different interpretations of what a "fool" is. Shakespeare often regarded fools as wise sages of sorts hiding behind an idiotic persona. As with the fool in King Lear, these characters can be both tormenters and engines of revelation and change. Sounds an awful lot like a Trickster, doesn't it? As we know from folktales, ancient mythology, and modern cartoons, Tricksters are agents of chaos that expose our vanities and self-delusions with their anarchic and calamitous behavior. Much as we might hate to admit it, we're all a lot more like Elmer Fudd than Bugs Bunny, but maybe if we're shown that, it'll lead to worthwhile growth. So this month we're spotlighting titles that focus on Tricksters and the Trickster spirit...

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In many Native American traditions, the Trickster is an essential figure. The Tricksters bring laughter, and some tribes believed you couldn't have contact with the sacred without laughing, as laughter loosens you up and makes you more open to new perspectives. In some tales, the Trickster is a hero, in others a villain. Sometimes they are wise and other times foolish—but no matter their representation, their actions always bring vital knowledge.

Raven is a resourceful Trickster who figures out how to bring light to the land. Check out these titles to learn more:

• The Raven Steals the Light
• Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest
• Raven and the First People: Legends of the Northwest Coast
• How Raven Stole the Sun

Coyote is another important Trickster from Native American cultures. Start with these titles to learn more about his mischievous ways:

• Coyote Stories
• Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest
• That Tricky Coyote! (Native American Trickster Tales)
• Trickster: Native American Tales, a Graphic Collection

Here are books featuring more legendary Trickster characters from around the world:

• How to Catch a Leprechaun
• Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti
• One Thousand and One Arabian Nights
• Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
• Aboriginal Stories of Australia
• The Adventures of Robin Hood
• Trickster Makes This World: Mischief, Myth and Art

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Did I mention cartoons? Oh, do we have cartoons! I think you might already know some of these animated Trickster characters, so why not buy some collections so you have that riotous Trickster energy on tap whenever you need it?!

Spongebob Squarepants:

• Spongebob Squarepants: The Next 100 Episodes
• Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete Ninth Season
• Spongebob Squarepants: The Complete 11th Season
• Spongebob Squarepants: Goes Prehistoric / Home Sweet Pineapple / Where's Gary?

Woody Woodpecker:

• Woody Woodpecker Screwball Collection
• Woody Woodpecker & Friends Classic Cartoon Collection: Volume 2

Looney Tunes:

• Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 1
• Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 2
• Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 3
• Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 4
• Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 5
• Looney Tunes Golden Collection Volume 6

Even MORE wacky Trickster characters:

• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Tex Avery Screwball Classics
• Tom and Jerry
• The Mask Platinum Edition
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

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The Trickster character Tiny Tina first appeared in the Borderlands video game franchise, but now she finally has a game all her own! Join her in the fantasy realm of Wonderland where she acts as Dungeon Master on an epic quest to defeat the evil (and also asinine) Dragon Lord!

• Tiny Tina's Wonderland
• Tiny Tina's Wonderland Chaotic Great Edition

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One could argue that amusement parks were built to give people Trickster-y thrills and chills on demand, so let's explore that world a bit. First off, take a gander at these titles to see how folks in Ye Olden Times liked to unleash their inner Trickster, amusement-wise:

• Coney Island and Astroland
• LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park
• Riverview Amusement Park
• Western Pennsylvania's Lost Amusement Parks
• Lost Amusement Parks of the North Jersey Shore
• Early Amusement Parks of Orange County
• Lake Quinsigamond and White City Amusement Park
• Nunley's Amusement Park
• Springlake Amusement Park
• Maryland's Amusement Parks

But just like with Tricksters, there were some amusement parks that were more menacing than amusing. And I'm not talking an evil carnival like the kind in Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, but the kind of park that creates a lot of broken bones and worse, and no park in modern history was more infamous for that than Action Park.

But what of the people who design and run amusement parks? The visionaries whose main obsession in life is creating delightfully absurd experiences for both kids and adults? Were they possessed by Trickster spirits from an early age? Find out for yourself in Legends: Pioneers of the Amusement Park Industry. Enjoy!

Read more by Terry Fleming