Take Another Spin

Summer vacation is just around the corner and that means amusement parks are opening once again for the season! Besides the crowds, the taste of cotton candy and funnel cakes, and the sounds of screaming roller coasters, there are the brightly-colored family and children's rides.  One of my all-time favorites is the carousel or merry-go-round. They were my first “horse” rides outside of real ponies at the zoo. The carousel horses were so beautiful, and it was so hard to choose between them. Then there were all the other animals...who wouldn't want to ride a giraffe or a lion?!!

Recently the carousel at Seaside Heights, New Jersey has been closed and will be sent away for repair in the fall of this year.  I hope they can get it up and running again soon! 

Did you know there are three different poses for carousel horses? 1) Standers are found on the outside row of carousels and are usually the biggest and have the most decorations and frills. They have three or four feet on the ground. 2) Prancers (also often found on the outside row), balance on their back two feet and paw the air, 3) Jumpers or Gallopers have all four feet OFF the ground and their legs are often curled. In addition, they are attached to poles that go up and down.

Besides those standard poses, here are some other types of carousel horses:

• Derby Racer - These "jumpers" were made to go forward and backward on a carousel to simulate racing. They have sleek bodies stretched out in racing form. 
• Bucking Horse - All four feet are off the ground for these “jumpers” and they have their head and neck down trying to buck you, the rider, off. 
• Star-Gazer – A type of carousel horse that has its head tipped in the air, looking to the sky.
• Flag Horse – A special carousel horse draped with an American flag.
• War Horse - This carousel horse is covered in armor.  

*Note that the Star-Gazer, Flag Horse and War Horse can be in any pose.

Flying Horse – The oldest type of carousel horse has all four feet off the ground like a "jumper" but is suspended from the center frame - thus giving the illusion of flying. It makes me think of a swing - I bet they didn't go too fast!

Finally, did you know the phrase "grabbing the brass ring" (reaching for very best in life) came from carousels? Brass ring devices were built above or beside carousels just within a long reach from the outside horses. When the carousel turned, those on the outside could try and reach the brass rings. If they got one, they got a prize!


The following is a list of books inspired by carousels and merry-go-rounds.

A Carousel Tale – by Elisa Kelven
“Given the responsibility of taking care of his favorite carousel dog's tail during the winter, Ernst, the young blue crocodile, finds, as time goes by, that he cannot resist his own artistic urges.” ~ Publisher

This is such a sweet, easy book for children. I love the art that Kelven created to go along with the story. Children as well as adults will enjoy this imaginative tale (and tail!).

Carousels – By Valerie Bodden
"A colorful survey of carousels, including their seats and other features, descriptions of the ride experience, and a brief history. Famous carousels such as the Kit Carson County Carousel are spotlighted" ~ Publisher

There’s a surprising amount of information in this easy children’s book.  I learned new things, too!






The Lost Carousel of Provence – By Juliet Blackwell
"An artist lost to history, a family abandoned to its secrets, and the woman whose search for meaning unearths it all… As Cady digs deeper into the past, unearthing century-old photographs of the Clement carousel and its creators, she might be the one person who can bring the past to light and reunite a family torn apart"-- Publisher.

This adult historical novel has some heartbreaking drama, as well as descriptive, picturesque, and idyllic scenes set in Paris, France and instills fascinating carousel knowledge along the way.


In addition, check out the following amusement park books! Though not about carousels specifically, all of them mention carousels and some have fascinating details about the history and workings of amusement parks and rides.  Take another spin on a carousel this summer!

Wonder Park: The Movie Novel – by Sadie Chesterfield
“When June Bailey discovers the amusement park she always imagined has come to life, she must work together with the animals who run her park in order to save it from forces that threaten to destroy it.”~ Publisher

I was rather surprised that this children’s juvenile book is darker than it appears. Based on a recent movie of the same name, the book deals with an imaginative child, June, who must deal with the sudden illness of her mother.  Though this is a serious topic, I thought the book was imaginative and encouraged bravery, sacrifice, love and persistence.



Awesome Engineering Fairground Rides – by Sally Spray
“Introduces the world's most thrilling fairground inventions while explaining the engineering behind their creation, including swingboats, carousels, bumper cars, and roller coasters.” ~ Publisher

Wow! This was a very cool book for juveniles!  Each page broke down the basic components that make a specific ride.  I learned a lot from this book.  Kids who like to know how things work or take things apart and who love math and history will enjoy this little book.




Amusement Parks and Water Parks – by Joanne Mattern
"Today's amusement parks are filled with amazing, high-tech rides. Some even take the fun to the water! Amusement parks of the past were exciting places as well. Amusement parks have been around for hundreds of years. Readers discover the history of these fun-filled places!"-- Provided by publisher.

Another great book for juveniles!  This book gives a brief history behind different amusement parks and rides along with fun facts.  With clear and large text and old black and white photos, as well as current pictures of the rides, this is an exciting book.



Where is Walt Disney World? – by Joan Holub
"Building the most magical place on earth was no fairy tale. Learn the story behind the creation of Walt Disney World… Joan Holub takes readers both behind the scenes and underneath the park (there are secret employee-only tunnels that form one big circle under the Magic Kingdom). Loaded with fun facts, this book is a great companion to Who Was Walt Disney?"-- by publisher.

No list of books about amusement parks is complete without some mention of Walt Disney World.  This fascinating in-depth juvenile book provides lots of neat and fun facts about the most famous amusement park in the world.



Amusement Parks of New Jersey – by Jim Futrell
Finally, to finish this list of books I’ve included an adult non-fiction book about New Jersey’s amusement parks.  This book has intriguing facts about each park and it specifically calls out only the parks that make up New Jersey, which is nice for residents.  It has a copyright of 2004, so disasters like “Hurricane Sandy” are not referenced and may impact some of the data, but it’s still a helpful and interesting book. Check it out!

- Esther Z., Lawrence Branch