Center for Children’s Literature

The Cook Prize

Presented for the first time in 2012, the Cook Prize is named in memory of two ground breaking Bank Street educators – Don Cook of the Graduate School of Education, and Michael Cook (no relation) of the School for Children. In naming this award, Bank Street not only honors Michael and Don for their intangible contributions to the world of education, but encourages excellence in publishing informational books on STEM topics for elementary-aged children.

Cook Prize Seal

Our Mission

The Cook Prize honors the best science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) picture book for children aged eight to ten. It is the only national children’s choice award honoring a STEM book. The Cook Prize is administered with support from School Library Journal. The award is presented in May.
Design of the Cook Prize Seal

The Cook Prize Voting Form

Voting for The Cook Prize 2019 has finished. We hope you and your students enjoyed the books. Remember, if one of your students made an interesting comment or observation during the deliberations, please share it with us by April 30. We may end up reading it during the award ceremony which will take place this year on May 16, 2019 at approximately 10:45 AM. Please contact cweill@bankstreet.edu to send anecdotes and for questions.

The Cook Prize Ceremony

Almost 5,000 children in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the United Arab Emirates participated in the selection and final voting process. The winner and honorees will accept their awards on Thursday, May 16, 2019. The event is open to the public but an RSVP is required. Caldecott winner Brian Floca will be the keynote speaker.  If you cannot attend the ceremony, the event will be livestreamed starting at 10:00 AM, and can viewed at a later date on KidLit TV.

RSVP

Counting on Katherine

2019 Cook Prize Winner

Counting on Katherine
by Helaine Becker; illustrated by Dow Phumiruk (Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt and Company)

Honor Books

  • Fossil by Fossil: Comparing Dinosaur Bones by Sara Levine, illustrated by T.S. Spookytooth (Millbrook Press/Lerner)
  • If Polar Bears Disappeared by Lily Williams (Roaring Brook Press)
  • Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie German by Cheryl Bardoe; illustrated by Barbara McClintock (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)