Victricia Malicia

May 7, 2012
In Clickard’s debut, a pirate tale in verse, heroine Victricia would rather read than swashbuckle. Her bookishness isn’t her only problem; it’s part of a bigger package of nerdy, out-of-place feelings (she makes a shirt that reads “I Heart Dry Land”). To her credit, Clickard takes rhyme and meter seriously, achieving, at her best, a Gilbert and Sullivan–like patter as she imagines the pirates mulling disciplinary measures (“Let’s ground her awhile—” “For a week—” “Maybe two...” “On a boring old island, with nothing to do.” “ ’Twill heighten her gratitude.” “Fix her pirattitude!”). Although Victricia redeems herself, she knows her heart isn’t at sea, opting for a life as a bookseller—and bringing about a career change among her former shipmates, who become “the world’s first seafaring librarians!” In full-bleed spreads, Meyers (the Ballpark Mysteries series) provides lots of pirate detail and even an ironic moment or two (Victricia’s baby cradle mobile features a fish skeleton and a dagger, presumably to encourage early pirate development). Rollicking, sea-chantey verse and slapstick humor make this a promising readaloud. Ages 4–8.

August 1, 2012

K-Gr 2-Victricia Malicia Calamity Barrett, born into a close-knit family of pirates, is given a scary name, a black blankie, and a pet parrot. She is taught knot tying and how to count doubloons and learns to read from Ye Olde Pirate Creed. Unfortunately, none of these lessons captures her interest. Vic falls from the rigging, ties loose knots, and doesn't like pirate lingo. She is fond of books and landlubbing, and proclaims "I ♥ Dry Land" on her shirt. Her family is horrified by this proclivity, but it's washing the deck in slippery soap, causing the plunder and more to slide into the ocean that gets Vic voted off the ship. Then, in the blink of an eye, she becomes a hero when the sea serpent Scylla is defeated by her slippery deck, her loosely knotted ropes, and the chest of books with which she gives the beast's head a thunk. In her moment of glory Vic pleads with her family to let her live in town. She opens a bookstore and her family, while still pirates, are "the world's first seafaring librarians!" Clickard's masterful text is a rhyming joy to read, but one must pay attention or risk becoming tongue tied. Meyers's humorous illustrations add plenty of special touches like the fitting names on many book spines and covers. A fun read-aloud.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

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