Mistaco

Kinkz (Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock), making her solo debut with magnificently scrawled artwork, offers a story that blends deep empathy, raucous candor, and a useful ritual for dealing with shame. Early pages dub protagonist Izzy the “President of Mistakes,” detailing a range of clumsy acts that leave her feeling like “chile con Ka-Ka.” While making tortillas with her adoring Lito, she reveals a spectacularly embarrassing lunchroom blunder that involves inadvertently spitting out a mouthful of chicken nuggets, slipping onto a chocolate pudding cup, and getting a finger “caught up my nose.” She wails, “NOW EVERYONE CALLS ME Chicken Lickin’ Puddin’ Pickin’!” Lito offers to eat Izzy’s mistakes—making a taco, he invites Izzy to whisper her gaffes into its queso-laden, frijole-fortified fillings, and then consumes it. Soon, the entire family embraces the healing properties of the “mistaco,” sharing regrets as “the tortillas soaked up every juicy confession.” Izzy comes away with a delicious way to self-forgive and face the day with hope and humor. Characters cue as Latinx. Back matter includes two short comics. Ages 4–8. Agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Apr.)