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Tricky Vic

The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower

Author Greg Pizzoli
Ebook
Penguin Young Readers | Viking Books for Young Readers
On sale Mar 10, 2015 | 48 Pages | 9780698139954
Grades 2-4
Reading Level: Lexile 1230L
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A New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2015

In the early 1900s, Robert Miller, a.k.a. “Count Victor Lustig,” moved to Paris hoping to be an artist. A con artist, that is. He used his ingenious scams on unsuspecting marks all over the world, from the Czech Republic, to Atlantic ocean liners, and across America. Tricky Vic pulled off his most daring con in 1925, when he managed to "sell" the Eiffel Tower to one of the city’s most successful scrap metal dealers! Six weeks later, he tried to sell the Eiffel Tower all over again. Vic was never caught. For that particular scam, anyway. . . .
 
Kids will love to read about Vic's thrilling life, and teachers will love the informational sidebars and back matter. Award-winner Greg Pizzoli’s humorous and vibrant graphic style of illustration mark a bold approach to picture book biography.
Greg Pizzoli is the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning creator of the Baloney and Friends graphic novel series, as well as the author and illustrator of the picture books The Watermelon Seed, Good Night Owl, and The Book Hog. He also writes nonfiction for kids, including The New York Times Best Illustrated title Tricky Vic, and PIZZA! A Slice of History.

Greg Pizzoli works in a studio he shares with his wife Kay Healy, who is a printmaker and author. They live in Philadelphia with their two daughters. View titles by Greg Pizzoli
"What a con job! I mean that in the best possible way. Vic was tricky but so is Greg Pizzoli. His storytelling and mixed-media artwork is rendered with expert sleight of hand."—Lane Smith, author/illustrator of It's a Book and  the Caldecott Honor book Grandpa Green


"It's hard enough to make a well-told story out of real-life things—it’s almost unfair that he could also make it this pretty."—Jon Klassen, author and illustrator of the Caldecott Medal winner This Is Not My Hat


* "An appealingly colorful, deadpan account of a remarkably audacious and creative criminal."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Praise for Number One Sam:

* "A polished work, from the words to the finish on the race cars."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 
* “Pizzoli’s playful, cartoon illustrations perfectly showcase the message in a fun way yet never come off as didactic. Pizzoli’s use of four-color art provides an airy, uncluttered vision for his story that will definitely attract children. The simple yet exciting text drives the story forward and will make it a popular choice at storytimes."--School Library Journal, starred review
 
* "Another winner from Pizzoli."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
 

About

A New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2015

In the early 1900s, Robert Miller, a.k.a. “Count Victor Lustig,” moved to Paris hoping to be an artist. A con artist, that is. He used his ingenious scams on unsuspecting marks all over the world, from the Czech Republic, to Atlantic ocean liners, and across America. Tricky Vic pulled off his most daring con in 1925, when he managed to "sell" the Eiffel Tower to one of the city’s most successful scrap metal dealers! Six weeks later, he tried to sell the Eiffel Tower all over again. Vic was never caught. For that particular scam, anyway. . . .
 
Kids will love to read about Vic's thrilling life, and teachers will love the informational sidebars and back matter. Award-winner Greg Pizzoli’s humorous and vibrant graphic style of illustration mark a bold approach to picture book biography.

Author

Greg Pizzoli is the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning creator of the Baloney and Friends graphic novel series, as well as the author and illustrator of the picture books The Watermelon Seed, Good Night Owl, and The Book Hog. He also writes nonfiction for kids, including The New York Times Best Illustrated title Tricky Vic, and PIZZA! A Slice of History.

Greg Pizzoli works in a studio he shares with his wife Kay Healy, who is a printmaker and author. They live in Philadelphia with their two daughters. View titles by Greg Pizzoli

Praise

"What a con job! I mean that in the best possible way. Vic was tricky but so is Greg Pizzoli. His storytelling and mixed-media artwork is rendered with expert sleight of hand."—Lane Smith, author/illustrator of It's a Book and  the Caldecott Honor book Grandpa Green


"It's hard enough to make a well-told story out of real-life things—it’s almost unfair that he could also make it this pretty."—Jon Klassen, author and illustrator of the Caldecott Medal winner This Is Not My Hat


* "An appealingly colorful, deadpan account of a remarkably audacious and creative criminal."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Praise for Number One Sam:

* "A polished work, from the words to the finish on the race cars."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
 
* “Pizzoli’s playful, cartoon illustrations perfectly showcase the message in a fun way yet never come off as didactic. Pizzoli’s use of four-color art provides an airy, uncluttered vision for his story that will definitely attract children. The simple yet exciting text drives the story forward and will make it a popular choice at storytimes."--School Library Journal, starred review
 
* "Another winner from Pizzoli."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
 

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