Where did you come up with the idea for Mistaco?
Mistaco came from memories of making tortillas with my Lita, and Lito (My Grandparents). I could not roll a round tortilla to SAVE MY LIFE…and I still can’t as an adult!! My Lito would comfort me,and say “Don't worry, mamá. I will EAT all your mistakes.” I did a sketch of the memory, and realized it had all the ingredients to make a great story. As it sparked the word ‘MISTACO’! A loving combo of Mistake + Taco, which is my own Spanglish invention!! Spanglish is what my family has spoken here in Texas for generations, and it always brings me comfort to hear! Especially inside a tortilla!
This is a fun story about embracing mistakes. What do you hope kids take away from it?
I hope kids take away that sharing your mistakes with your loved ones can be healing, and really, really FUNNY. I was just like Izzy as a kid, and would hold everything in. Which led to stomach aches! I would have definitely preferred a taco over those any day!
What is a funny mistake you made today?
I visited a goat farm for inspiration for a future book I am working on, and should NOT have worn my favorite pair of sneakers for walking around the goat pen. As they stink even more now! UGH!!
Speaking of mistakes, are there any that Izzy (or her family) made that didn’t make it into the final text or illustrations?
Izzy got the mixing bowl stuck on her head, she tried to spit her mistake in the taco, for some reason I had her riding a chicken, and wayyyyyyyyy too many dog poop jokes.
Can you tell us about the art process and what went into the making of Mistaco?
I love to play with a dumpster truck full of art materials, and I strive to always be a beginner with them. As I love art accidents, or happy MISTAKES as they bring life to art. A playfulness that is so easy to look once you are an experienced artist.
Additionally, for this book I worked hard to create some extra thick paint texture for the tortillas! As I really wanted them to pop out on the page, and tempt you to try to grab it to make your own MISTACO.
This is your first book that you’ve written and illustrated. How was that process different from making just the illustrations for Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock?
You know, this is the first one to be published, but I have been writing for a very long time. I have always loved writing just as much as I love illustrating, and I have a drawer full of stories in my studio to prove it! But, in all honesty, being the author as well with my publisher felt amazing! It was like I got to switch hats back, and forth. Sometimes writing, and sometimes illustrating. Really the best of both worlds, as each are the most important jobs! Making books for kids!!
You use a lot of Spanglish and have a note about it in the back of the book. What are some of your favorite Spanglish words or phrases?
I am particularly proud of making up some of my OWN like ‘mistaco’, and ‘chile con ka-ka.’ A favorite of mine from my Dad is “Time for lonche!” As then it means I am about to have queso, and chips. Spanglish is so wonderful as it developed over many generations of Texas Mexicans, or Tejanos, holding on to their culture, while also embracing where they lived. It’s truly a beautiful, and spicy language.
If you compare your creative process to baking, what’s the one ingredient you couldn’t do without?
HUMOR!! It’s the jelly that holds my two slices of bread splendidly together! Aka my art, and writing.
You’ve illustrated books before, but this is your debut as author/illustrator. Any surprises along the way or learnings you’d take with you when creating your next book?
A big lesson was learning to let a story simmer. Of course, you want it to immediately be done! But, it’s so much better to leave it on the stove for a while, as then when you return with fresh eyes, you will realize what is missing! Like it needs some ingredients, or spices to truly add depth, but don't hesitate to skim away anything not adding to the story. Once everything is getting there it will start to thicken like a stew as all the elements begin to blend lovingly together. Patience with your story is just so rewarding…OK, now it’s really time for LONCHE!