Day 4: More Books about Puppies and Noises

Today we rounded out the rest of the 1 and 2 seeds in the bracket, and 19 of the first 32 match-ups have happened. Jack is still enjoying our time together, though I'm not sure if he's aware of the high stakes just yet.

Sandra Boynton Region
3. Doggies vs. 14. Spot's First Words
"Doggies" earned a 3 seed based on its success with Jack's cousins, and the well-worn copy we inherited has been part of many bedtimes. This book, more than anything, is the reason we have a "Sandra Boynton Region." I read "Spot's First Words" first, and I was worried the 3 seed curse was going to continue based on Jack's excitement. But then came "Doggies," and the real show started: a sly smile gave way to giggles and finally peals of laughter. It turns out he just likes dogs, and "Doggies" brought ten times as many as "Spot."

Dr. Seuss Region
1. Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? vs. 16. Goodnight Darth Vader
Who is Mr. Brown? Where did he get his powers? How did Darth Vader get custody of his twin children? Don't turn to either of these books for answers. Like "Doggies" above, "Mr. Brown" was the reason we had a "Dr. Seuss Region." "Goodnight Darth Vader" was seeded too low, as some analysts had suggested, but Jack started nodding off as the references got deeper and deeper into the lore. If I'm doing this dad thing right, the book will make more and more sense the older he gets. This is the way. 

2. Brown Bear, Brown Bear vs. 15. Quiet LOUD
The top 8 seeds have played, and there was only one match that resulted in an upset. Eric Carle went home empty handed this year, which was honestly surprising given how much he'd enjoyed these books in exhibition readings. Early morning Jack was delighted by the contrast of sounds the #15 seed brought to the table, however, and it was enough to sink the various animals in "Brown Bear, Brown Bear."

Shel Silverstein Region
6. The Water Hole vs. 11. The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock
I really liked both of these books. "The Water Hole" is a counting book with lots of animals and a sound environmental message, and "The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock" is a classic story from long-time Disney illustrator Bill Peet. Like a lot of Peet's stories, it's a bit too long for a little baby, but I'm looking forward to reading it at least one more time against "Go West!"

And we had 10 books scheduled today, but Jack was awake when I was out running errands and slept once I got home. Because our schedules didn't align, the 6/11 match-up from the Sandra Boynton Region (6. TouchThinkLearn: Numbers vs. 11. Peek-a-WHO?) is getting moved to tomorrow.