Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower
on Goodreads (1,334)
What’s inside...
Meet Vic, a man who sold the Eiffel Tower to a scrap metal dealer. But that's not the only impossible thing he's done. He's also sold the Statue of Liberty, the Taj Mahal, and the Great Wall of China. But how did he do it? And why did people believe him? This is the true story of a man who tricked people into believing the impossible, and how he got away with it. Greg Pizzoli's humorous and entertaining illustrations bring this bizarre true story to life, and will leave you wondering what other impossible feats Vic might have pulled off. 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.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Robert Miller (Tricky Vic) was able to convince others of his plans? What tactics did he use?
What do you think about the character of Tricky Vic? Was he a hero or a villain in his story, and why?
How did the people feel when they discovered Tricky Vic’s trick about the Eiffel Tower?
What could you do if you were in a situation where someone tried to trick you like Tricky Vic did to others?
What did you learn about trust and honesty from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the shoes of different characters from the book to better understand their emotions and motivations. Use the story as a launching point to discuss the importance of honesty and the impact of deceit. Compare Tricky Vic’s actions and the outcomes to real-life scenarios to make the conversation relevant. Ask your child how they would feel and what they would do in similar situations. Highlight the historical aspect of the story to pique interest in history and its real-world implications.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: The protagonist of 'Tricky Vic,' Robert Miller, deceives many by posing as a government official and attempting to sell the Eiffel Tower. This story illustrates the consequences of deceit.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of truthfulness and the impact that dishonest behavior can have on trust and personal integrity.
Example Lesson: Understanding the impact of our choices
Explanation: Throughout the book, Robert Miller’s choices lead to various outcomes, affecting not only his life but others’ as well. This narrative can help children see how decisions can create ripples in many lives.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think about the consequences of their actions and to make decisions that are considerate of others and themselves.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and skepticism
Explanation: As the story unfolds, the reader learns how Robert Miller was eventually caught. This aspect teaches the importance of questioning and critically evaluating situations rather than accepting them at face value.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop a healthy skepticism and the ability to discern truth, thus making them wiser and more cautious of potentially deceptive situations.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Robert Miller’s journey in 'Tricky Vic' showcases that even after making grave mistakes, there are opportunities for redemption and learning.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children that mistakes are a part of life and what truly matters is how one learns and grows from them.