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

2025 Cook Prize

Silver Medal
Silver Medal Gold Medal Silver Medal
  • Cactus Queen by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Jenn Ely (Calkins Creek)

Lori Alexander: Cook Prize 2025, Silver Medal Acceptance Speech

  • The Iguanodon’s Horn, written and illustrated by Sean Rubin (Clarion/HarperCollins)

Sean Rubin: Cook Prize 2025, Silver Medal Acceptance Speech

  • Life After Whale, written by Lynn Brunelle and illustrated by Jason Chin (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House)

Lynn Brunelle (author) and Jason Chin (illustrator): Cook Prize 2025, Gold Medal Acceptance Speech

  • Yasmeen Lari, Green Architect: The True Story of Pakistan’s First Woman Architect by Marzieh Abbas, illustrated by Hoda Hadadi (Clarion)

Marzieh Abbas (author): Cook Prize 2025, Silver Medal Acceptance Speech

Hoda Hadadi (illustrator): Cook Prize 2025, Silver Medal Acceptance Speech

A Comment From a Student

Life After Whale

I have a sweet student quote for you about Life After Whale that you may like. 3rd graders at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School in Cambridge, MA participated in the Cook Award program this year. When we read Life After Whale, I noticed one 3rd grader who was riveted. His face and eyes were lit up and he was hanging on every word. Afterward I asked him one on one what he liked about the book, and he replied, “I liked that it talked about the circle of life. And it reminds me that even though death is sad, it’s really important.

Life After Whale book cover

2025 Cook Prize Winner

Life After Whale
Author: Lynn Brunelle
Illustrator: Jason Chin
Publisher: Neal Porter Books/Holiday House

Honor Books

  • Cactus Queen by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Jenn Ely (Calkins Creek)
  • The Iguanodon’s Horn, written and illustrated by Sean Rubin (Clarion/HarperCollins)
  • Yasmeen Lari, Green Architect: The True Story of Pakistan’s First Woman Architect by Marzieh Abbas, illustrated by Hoda Hadadi (Clarion)