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.

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 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 accepted their awards on Thursday, May 16, 2019. The event was open to the public. Caldecott winner Brian Floca was the keynote speaker. If you were not able to attend the ceremony, it was live-streamed and can viewed on KidLit TV.

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)