La camita de la sala

K-Gr 2--In a Spanish edition of Burgos's 2021 A Cot in the Living Room, a Dominican American girl in New York City with dark brown skin and tight curls longs to sleep on the small cot that her family keeps in the living room, which visiting kids use overnight because their parents work the night shift. She thinks it must be so fun to sleep in the living room, where she can see cars out the window, watch TV when she wants, and sneak in a snack from the kitchen. Day by day, someone gets to stay over, and she becomes more and more upset. The narrator finally asks to sleep in the little bed herself, and it is scarier and lonelier than she thought. Now when visitors come, she wants to help them get through the night, even moving the cot to her room where it's more welcoming. This classic "the grass isn't always greener" tale reminds kids to be more empathetic. It also presents family dynamics and class not often depicted in media for the young. Many of the scenes are done in purples and blues, reflecting the nighttime setting. As the little girl imagines all of the fun stuff the visitors must be doing in the living room at night, the illustrations become more fanciful, with flying fruit and scrumptious snacks covering the floor. And as she becomes more spooked during her night in the sala, monstrous plants loom over her. The images perfectly complement the text. VERDICT A thoughtful, empathy-building, and child-friendly exploration of an experience not often seen in picture book format. A strong choice for collections.--Melanie Ortega