Center for Children’s Literature

The Cook Prize

Cook Prize SealPresented 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.

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


2024 Cook Prize Contenders

cook prize cover 2024The Book of Turtles cook prize cover 2024Great Carrier Reef cook prize cover 2024Santiago Saw Things Differently cook prize cover 2024We Go Way Back
  • The Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Matt Patterson (Clarion)
  • Great Carrier Reef by Jessica Stremer, illustrated by Gordy Wright (Holiday House
  • Santiago Saw Things Differently: Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Artist, Doctor, Father of Neuroscience by Christine Iverson, illustrated by Luciano Lozano (Mit Kids Press an imprint of Candlewick Press)
  • We Go Way Back by Idan Ben-Barak, illustrated by Philip Bunting (Roaring Brook)
Anglerfish: Cook Prize Gold Medal 2023

2023 Cook Prize Winner

Anglerfish: The Seadevil of the Deep
Author: Elaine M. Alexander
Illustrator: Fiona Fogg
Publisher: Candlewick

Honor Books

  • Infinity: Figuring Out Forever by Sarah C. Campbell, photographed by Sarah C. Campbell and Richard P. Campbell (Astra Young Readers)
  • The Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock; illustrated by Erika Meza (Alfred A. Knopf)