We’ve made it to Round 4 of the March Picture Book Madness competition – the Championship Round featuring the LAST TWO picture books. The pressure is on, and the opinions are getting heated.

Without further ado, here are the results of Round 3 and the final matchup.

BRACKET 1

The Journey, by Francesca Sanna

The Night Gardener, by the Fan Brothers

WINNER = The Night Gardener

This was a tough one because The Night Gardener is whimsical, beautiful, and fun and The Journey is beautiful and heart-wrenching. GARDENER made the cut, mostly because of its stunning illustrations and the serene world it created.

BRACKET 2

School’s First Day of School, by Adam Rex

Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol

WINNER = School’s First Day of School

There was a lot of love for both books. The originality and freshness of Leave Me Alone! up against the unique perspective and voice in School’s First Day of School. In the end, SCHOOL made the grade.

With that, we are now on to Round 4 and the last two picture books. To vote, you MUST read both books.

The championship round is between…

The Night Gardener, by the Fan Brothers

School’s First Day of School, by Adam Rex

As with Rounds 1 and 2, voting will take place on the 12 x 12 Facebook group. Discussions about the books and rationale for voting one way or the other will be held on the 12 x 12 Forum. Once the voting is complete, I will post the champion here on the blog.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

Launch Round 4: March 27

Round 4 Reading: March 27 – 30

Round 4 Voting: March 29  – 30

Winner Announced! March 31

Ready, Set, READ!