Taco Falls Apart

by Brenda S. Miles, Monika Filipina (Illustrator)

Taco Falls Apart gets kids thinking about how their thoughts shape feelings and behavior. Friendly and funny, this evidence-based science-informed book skillfully presents a fundamental concept of cognitive-behavior psychology in a way kids can understand — how the interplay between thoughts, feelings, and behavior shape who we are and how we experience everything.

Meet Taco. The world expects so much from him... tacos must stay strong without much support, tacos must stay open without much room, and tacos must keep it all together, all the time! With all these expectations piling on, Taco starts wonder if he has what it takes to be a terrific taco. Can he even do this? Should he even try? As his thoughts start to pester him, Taco's shell starts to crack and his toppings begin to tumble, and Taco falls apart!

Fantastically foodie and pun-fully delicious, this book is bound to help little ones understand common thinking mistakes and how unhelpful self-talk can get in the way of feeling strong and confident and able to get through rough spots in their day. 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Food, Emotion, Mental Health, Humor, Psychology

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2023

About the author

Brenda S. Miles, PhD, is a pediatric neuropsychologist who has worked in hospital, rehabilitation, and school settings.

Reviews

[Stay Fetters · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We make farts, says the beans, but we are good for the heart."

Putting faces on foods: terrific. Feeling defeated and broken: not terrific.

Somedays we need that extra boost in confidence from others. I think some readers on here need to take some lessons from the supportive foods.

[Briel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! Based on the common phrase “Tacos fall apart but we still love them,” this book explains to kids how pressure and anxiety can overwhelm a person (or taco, in this case) and gives actual strategies for how to manage these feelings. Taco is normally a happy go lucky guy, holding in all of his fillings and standing proudly, but some days, the pressure of life gets the best of him and he, quite literally, falls apart. With his toppings all spilled out he feels like a failure and talks negatively about himself to himself. That’s where his trusty toppings jump in and give him the strategy of “Think, Feel, Do” to cope with the hard day. When you think negative thoughts, you feel negative, and then you can’t possibly do anything productive. The toppings teach Taco to think positive thoughts which in term change the way he feels about himself and allows him to do what he wants or needs to do. The illustrations are engaging and the text is easy to understand yet impactful with bouts of humor added in. The back of the book offers additional explanations about coping strategies for pressure and anxiety.

When published, I am definitely adding this book to our library because everyone in my house (myself included) needs reminders of how to avoid negative self talk and thoughts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Magination Press for the advance electronic copy. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's me, I am Taco. As an adult, I actually related to this book.

[Sadie Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, what a wonderful children’s book! Taco is having a DAY and just feels awful. His friends (and maybe I’m reading tooooo much into it, but also his insides) are telling him he’s great and if he thinks great thoughts, he will believe them! As a mother of 4 young kids, I can honestly say I’m buying this one!

A simple, sweet way to explain the power of thought and the way our brains can be rewired, even on a bad day. LOVE THIS ONE. the readers note at the end? Priceless.
Thank you, NetGalley. I so loved this one.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taco falls apart is a good book for 4+. This book helps little ones understand that no one is perfect and sometimes we need to lean on others for help. It shows how we can try to look at the cup half full rather than empty. This a a great book especially with the illustrations! It has a great message and is executed nicely.
Ended up buying this book because it was just the cutest way to explain feelings with my toddlers💞

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a cute way to teach kids about the power of positive thinking and self-love. I'm already thinking about all the ways I can use this book in storytimes. It will be a great social and emotional learning tool. And there aren't a lot of good story time books out there about tacos, so super glad to add one to the list.

[Bethea Scovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book is about Taco, who gets into a negative thought spiral and then “falls apart”. Other food items, such as lettuce and onions, help Taco to get out of the thought spiral and recognize positive characteristics. It’s a cute story that can help an adult have a discussion with a child about how to get out of a bad mood and feel better about themself.

This isn’t the type of story I would choose as a bedtime story, but it’s a good one for teachers and social workers to have available. It would also be a good book for a parent to get for a child struggling with self-worth.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an eARC of #TacoFallsApart in exchange for honest feedback.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute! The illustrations are so charming! I think kids would enjoy reading through this, and how it is ok and normal to be sad, but also better to be happy, and sometimes friends can bring a change of perspective.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific book where Taco is stressed and overworked and feels like he is falling apart. Enter the other ingredients that make a taco: they are cheerful, encouraging, and uplifting. Nacho takes control and explains to Taco the THINK--FEEL--DO method of retraining negative thoughts. The Reader's Note is cool, too. It has a section headed "One-sided thinking" with 5 examples of how we do this so that we can re-think when these kinds of thoughts enter our heads. Excellent!

[Natalie Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but a little advanced in its teaching compared to its story and artistry.

[Lesa Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for school age kids. Talks about making and choosing good words over negative words and the difference it makes in your overall decision.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So relatable. 5 stars.

[Abby (the_rainydayreader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taco Falls Apart is a picture book I would recommend for children (or even adults!) above age 6 or so. It's about a Taco whose shell sometimes cracks, making him fall apart. He worries about if he can be a good taco, but his friends such as lettuce, onions, and nacho teach him that negative thoughts will only beget more negative thoughts and actions, while positive thoughts will create more positive thoughts and help Taco feel better. Overall, this is a great message, and there is a few pages of authors note on the end that expands on this type of thinking strategy.

I felt that the nacho character was a little harsh, especially the line, "You THINK you are terrible, so you FEEL terrible, and now you won't DO anything! And that's TERRIBLE!" No person should think that they are terrible for having bad days where they "don't do anything". If I was reading this to a child I would change the wording a little bit for that part.

Also, I would say that some older children or adults may get that idea of a taco being broken, then getting fixed somehow, doesn't make sense because it is a food and meant to be broken apart and be eaten. I feel that the author could have incorporated these properties as reasons that Taco is actually good at being a Taco. Tacos are meant to be a little messy and we love them for it.

I would still recommend this book to children and even adults who have issues with negative thought cycles.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork in this book was really nice and super cute, and I totally get the message beyond the words and the pictures. But I'm not quite sure that the taco idea works well because it's a taco and they are meant to be eaten. And once it has fallen apart, it really doesn't get put back together again. But apart from that, I think that this did a good job speaking to the idea of a child being anxious over not being perfect, about having things that aren't going well, and learning to really celebrate themselves. The idea that food would have this crisis of this sort is kind of cute, and the way that each of the fillings react and say something positive about taco is neat. But the chip seemed a bit harsh, especially when it was talking about how thinking you are terrible leads you to do nothing which is terrible. The meaning is there, but for a child reading this, even with a parent who can explain, it may be a bit too harsh and almost critical to the point where the positive message gets lost.

All in all, a good conversation starter for seeing the good in yourself and others.

As per the publisher request: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the story, Taco Falls Apart, Brenda S. Miles, does an amazing job portraying to young readers that our thoughts, feelings and actions are all connected. Taco is feeling sad and defeated. The world is expecting too much from him and he is at his breaking point. With a little help from Nacho and his other taco condiment friends, Taco changes his negative thoughts into positive ones and realizes he can be a terrific taco that stands tall and holds everyone together.

This is the perfect story to help children understand that one-side, negative thoughts can be reset and changed into positive ones, which is a hard concept for young minds to understand sometimes. The illustrations, punny humor and fun characters will be enjoyed by all and I am looking forward to recommending this story to our district the support the social-emotional learning of our young learners. Stories like "Taco Falls Apart" are so valuable in having those crucial conversations surrounding how the mind works and more importantly, offering strategies for young children to reset thoughts, feelings and actions just like Taco did in the story.

Thank you Brenda S. Miles, Magination Press, and NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to leave this review! Can't wait to get my hands on a copy in August!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taco Falls Apart written by Brenda S. Miles is a great children's story that illustrates how one's thinking can really impact one's behaviour and feelings. This is a fun way to show kids the power of thinking and how through processes can be so powerful in changing the way we see ourselves.

As a parent of young children, I think this is an important story because children are always bombarded with expectations and sometimes it is difficult to remind them that they have the power to change their feelings. My youngest daughter really resonated with Taco and by the middle of the story she was Taco's biggest cheerleader. To me this is the mark of a successful story - where children can learn a valuable lesson while still having fun and hearing a great story.

Overall, if you're looking for a good way to teach your little humans about the power of positive self-talk, I think this is a great way to do that

I would like to thank the publisher (American Psychological Association) and the author for the opportunity to share this advance copy with my children. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jen Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s okay if you fall apart sometimes. Tacos fall apart and we still love them!
In the adorable story Taco Falls Apart by Brenda S. Miles exactly that happens: Taco falls apart and starts to crack under all of the pressure that is being put on him. His friends salt, onions, beans and many others are trying to cheer him up, but nothing seems to help until Nacho is giving him a stern (but loving) talking to. Will Taco learn to stand tall again and put himself together?

I loved this great and quick read suitable for all ages. Negative self talk sneaks up on everyone once in a while and by focusing on the things one can do, perspectives can change.
The illustrations were fun and vibrant and absolutely made me want to eat a taco or two.

Thanks to NetGalley and Magination Press for the advanced copy!

[Alissa Manning-Telisak · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 3rd grade teacher, I am always on the lookout for books that bring a social/emotional learning aspect into our days. I shared Taco Falls Apart with my students and they really enjoyed it! They immediately agreed that they liked the illustrations...because we love tacos too! They also REALLY liked the part about the beans saying they make people fart, but are good for the heart. (I think they really just liked hearing their teacher say "fart!") It was a good book with a simple message...keep the negative thoughts at bay. If you have negative thoughts, you are probably going to have negative experiences. If you think happy thoughts, you are probably going to have positive experiences. It's all a frame of mind!

Thank you to NetGalley and Magination Press for the opportunity to read this book with my class!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taco Falls Apart
By Brenda S. Miles
“Meet Taco. Everyone expects so much from him.” Who is everyone and what do they expect from him? The problem leading up to Taco cracking is pretty vague. Tacos friends respond in dramatic whispers to his breakdown but then are full of advice moments later. I think that Tacos friends had an opportunity to help kids understand how to be a friend to someone who is feeling down but failed in this story. Tacos self talk, however, sounds realistic to how it feels to fall apart. The advice, “Think-Feel-Do,” on the other hand came across as basic and idealistic. Thinking about what makes him feel terrific doesn’t solve any underlaying problems and is a superficial fix. Hugging it out is not a fix all either. I would have liked to see some real life solutions for coping when you feel down. This book was a pass for me.

[Kirsten Sanzone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book about recognising anxiety! I love the taco analogy. Taco has too many pressures and eventually he falls apart. The toppings help taco turn negative self talk to positive. I really would have liked to see more of a focus on unrealistic expectations and the fact that’s it’s ok not to cope and fall apart. I found the beginning and end of the book fantastic. The middle part when nacho comes in with the strategy feels forced and doesn’t flow.
Despite that this is an important book and would be an excellent addition to any classroom library. It is also a great provocation to spark further discussion about anxiety and stress.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jamie Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

Very cute story with important take always for children. Teachinh young kids that it's ok for things to not always go right not will they. There will be times when we feel like when we're failing but have to try to not make it define us

The illustrations are detailed, captivating, and beautiful. I would recommend this to any parent with preschool or elementary aged kids.

Thank you to Net Galley and American Psychological Association for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.littlest.bookworm and retail sites close or on publication.

[Clarissa Boucher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand how this could be good for some kids. It encourages moving on from bad days and focusing on what you can do instead of what you can't. And for the parent, it's a relatively easy book to read, and has its comedic points. However, I also can see how it could be really bad for some kids. The taco wasn't allowed to feel sad when his shell cracked or when he fell apart. He wasn't allowed to feel anything, he just had to immediately make himself feel better.

[Rebecca Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Taco Falls Apart by Brenda S. Miles and Monika Filipina (Magination Press, August 2023) young readers are introduced to a friendly taco who grapples with overwhelming expectations and eventually experiences a breakdown. This cleverly crafted picture book employs the “Think-Feel-Do” method to teach children how to manage overwhelming situations. With the support of Nacho and other vegetable characters, Taco learns to challenge his negative thoughts and replace them with more empowering ones. Although the book’s somewhat didactic nature may not make it an immediate choice for independent reading, its valuable message makes it a helpful book for teaching children that need this message.

Although Taco Falls Apart may not be the go-to book for children seeking a purely entertaining read-aloud experience, its significance lies in its ability to impart important lessons. The book effectively explores the concept of positive thinking, using humor and colorful illustrations to engage young readers. With the presence of vibrant vegetable friends, the story becomes interactive and memorable. When children are in need of guidance in cultivating a positive mindset, the amusing journey of Taco and his companions will serve as a valuable resource.

Three pages of end matter give insight explanations and examples of “one-sided thinking,” helping caregivers and teachers to better understand and identify such patterns. Additionally, practical suggestions and ideas for working with children give me invaluable guidance in helping my children develop positive thinking habits. This end matter helps make Taco Falls Apart a valuable tool for caregivers, educators, and parents.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sails and Scales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taco has a lot of responsibility to keep it together all the time. Is it even worth it to try? The more he worries, the more he begins to crack and his toppings start to come out.

This is a fun little book to help kids (and older readers who need the reminder from time to time!) about how important self talk is. It covers how overwhelming it can be when things start to fall apart and you're trying to put it back together. Taco also shows us that even if we fall apart, we're still important. The coping tools it describes in the book and in the back content for parents and educators could be useful for helping people process big feelings.

The book may not have the most clever storyline or even characters, but it can be a fun way to help teach the skills discussed in the book. It does have some fun humor and puns to go along with the lessons in teaches. It might not be the kind of book that will be a favorite at bedtime or readalouds, but it's one a lot of caregivers and children will find helpful on those days when it feels like everything is falling apart.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taco has a lot of pressure to be tough, stand tall, and not fall apart. But when the pressure gets to him he starts thinking he's a terrible taco, he feels defeated, and he crumbles in defeat. His friends help him see that his thinking is affecting his feelings which is affecting his actions. Can they help Taco think some more positive thoughts so he can feel better and get back up?

The back of the book has extensive further material for adults on helping kids with the think-feel-do cycle and how to avoid negative/unhelpful thoughts and find some better, helpful thoughts. It goes into best approaches for kids in their cognitive development and helpful activities. A helpful book to show kids how negative self talk can hurt us, and how thoughts, feelings, and actions can be related. Taco is a relatable character for kids who feel a lot of pressure (whether externally or internally), and his friends comments' are both helpful and tinged with bits of humor to make the story entertaining.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably should have avoided this one as I'm not a big fan of "thoughts and feelings" books, but, dagnabbit - I can't resist food with faces. And, truly, Monika Filipina's illustrations here are wonderful - smiling comestibles rendered in the warm, rich tones of a western sunset. The story, however . . . well, there really isn't one. It's all about affirmations, and cute food telling taco that everything will be fine, and that he's just super. (Sorry, but all I could think about was that video where his staff sat around a table and told Donald Trump how terrific it was to work for him.)
Everyone needs encouragement now and then, but this seems to be overdoing it.

The book concludes with some reader's notes aimed at parents and educators that are quite informative, and would be very useful in helping children deal with feelings of discouragement and frustration.

Thanks to NetGalley and Magination Press for making this available for review.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your teacher and you are looking for a book that discusses positive thinking, and mental health in a way that young children can understand I highly recommend you get this book when it releases.
From a child’s perspective, they will understand that taco gets sad and when he breaks, he feels bad. They will understand that his friends are trying to cheer him up, and when Tacko changes his thoughts, he feels better from a teachers perspective. I am so excited to have a book that explains positive thinking in a way that makes sense for my Littles. This book shows them that it’s OK to have bad days. I also enjoy how it shows that even when people say bad things about you, for example, the beans you still need to say the good things about yourself
I just reviewed Taco Falls Apart by Brenda S. Miles #TacoFallsApart #NetGalley

[Rebecca Band · Rating 5 out of 5]

As taco falls apart physically, his mental health quickly deteriorates. Taco thinks that he can’t keep himself together on the outside, and this negatively explodes inside of him. He has a strong group of friends, who all work together to support his mental health. With a crisis that sees no decline in the near future, it is critical for young kids to understand that help is out there. The book walks Taco through the think-feel-do method, to help him understand that he has the ability to change his own emotions. The illustrations and text are excellent, with just the right amount of humor. I couldn’t stop laughing when the onions formed a ring and started crying! More books should follow this format, teaching kids how to manage their feelings and emotions, while reassuring them that they are never alone. A very fun and much needed book!

[Laura (Librarian) Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taco is our main character who everyone expects a lot from him. One day the world expects too much from him and cracks and tips over. In comes the negative self talk like “I think I’m terrible at being a taco”. Enter nacho who teaches taco about THINK-FEEL-DO. If you think you are terrible, you will feel terrible, and you will do nothing, so let’s change the way you think about yourself. Other fun foods step in to tell Taco what they feel makes them terrific, as well as share with him things he is great at. In the end he realizes some days will be better than others but tries to reframe his thinking when things are hard.

I love this book because negative self talk is a very big confidence destabilizer. I think both adults and kids can learn from this book. It doesn’t end all sunshine and rainbows either. Life is hard and things will ebb and flow, just keep working on your mindset!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taco Falls Apart tells the story of Taco who is really struggling under the pressure of keeping it all together. Taco learns that it is ok to ask friends and family for help. The book also explores how negative self-talk can really impact your confidence and abilities, but that it is something that you can work on, especially when you ask for help!

I love this little food trilogy and the fact that SEL and psychology can be covered in such a concrete, and also really fun way. Tacos are a pretty popular food, and they inevitably fall apart, so it is something that kids can relate to. The illustrations and the cute puns also make it special and enjoyable.

Thanks to the author and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this amazing book with my students! It is absolutely one I would recommend!