Hawaiian Legends of Tricksters and Riddlers
by Vivian L. Thompson
On This Page
Description
According to some of the oldest and least-known of Hawaii's legends, man became a trickster to survive, and later became a riddler to win a place for himself in society. Vivian Thompson's tales, written for youngsters, are based on some of the earliest recorded versions of these legends; they instruct and delight readers of today as the oral traditions of old captivated their audiences. The first voyagers to Hawaii were filled with terror of the unknown terrain inhabited by evil spirits. show more Fearless fellows, tricksters - those who could match wits not only against nature, spirits, and monsters but also against chiefs and kings who held the power of life and death - became the heroes of the common people. As trickster legends emerged from primitive Hawaii, so riddler legends grew from later Hawaii, where mental as well as physical skills were admired. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
"Hawaiian Legends of Tricksters and Riddlers" takes 12 Hawaiian legends into one collection. The stories are short and would be great for a teacher read aloud after lunch or at the end of the day. They all have the commonality that the protagonist triumphs over evil by using trickery and their clever wits. The characters of these stories include Maui and Punia. Spirits are the common evil being throughout the stories that the protagonist much outwit.
These stories would be engaging for upper elementary students to hear when there is spare time in the classroom. The students could also read it as a confidence booster because the chapters/stories are so short; they would not get frustrated over long stories.
These stories would be engaging for upper elementary students to hear when there is spare time in the classroom. The students could also read it as a confidence booster because the chapters/stories are so short; they would not get frustrated over long stories.
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
A Child's Book Tour of the South Pacific and Hawai'i
18 works; 1 member
Author Information
14 Works 352 Members
All Editions
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Hawaiian Legends of Tricksters and Riddlers
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 48
- Popularity
- 627,134
- Reviews
- 1
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 1
