Mistaco: A Tale of Tragedy Y Tortillas by Kinkz, Eliza

* "[W]ith magnificently scrawled artwork, Kinkz offers a story that blends deep empathy, raucous candor, and a useful ritual for dealing with shame." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

A chaotically funny debut picture book about a girl who's had a terrible day full of mistakes and finds that making mistacos could be a delicious solution.

After an awful day at school (including a tragic but plausibly deniable mishap with a pudding cup), Izzy wants to be left alone. But it's Friday, and that means making tortillas with Lito.

As the mistakes pile up, they come tumbling out of Izzy--and Lito surprises her by saying everyone makes mistakes, and if she makes a tortilla out of her mistakes, he will EAT it.

"Mmmm. . .spicy! And boogery! With a hint of courage. My favorite taco EVER!"

Suddenly, the whole family is confessing and getting mistakes off their chests with a feast of mistacos! A delightfully silly picture book for fans of Dragons Love Tacos and The Book of Mistakes. Includes instructions on how to make and enjoy your own mistacos!

Author: Eliza Kinkz
Publisher: Kokila
Published: 04/01/2025
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 10.10h x 9.80w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780593700235
Audience: Ages 4-8

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 02/01/2025
Publishers Weekly 02/03/2025
Booklist 04/01/2025 pg. 100

About the Author
Eliza Kinkz is a Tejana artist who never stopped viewing the world through the bright colors of her crayons, AND she even ate a few, too! She's illustrated many hilarious picture books, including Pap?'s Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jes?s Trejo which won the Pura Belpr? Illustration Honor, and was the 2022 James Marshall Fellow. All her ridiculous scribbles burst straight from her heart, which is overflowing with joy. . .and probably a few crayon pieces. Eliza lives in Austin, Texas, with her family and her one true love, a huge bowl of queso.
Mistaco is her author-illustrator debut, and you can spill all the frijoles to her at ElizaKinkz.com.