The Cook Prize

Seal designed by Brian Floca

The Cook Prize honors the best science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) picture book published for children aged eight to ten. It is the only national children's choice award honoring a STEM book. 

The 2013 finalists will be announced and registration will begin the week of February 18th.

Process

Cook Prize finalists are chosen from a list of sixteen STEM books included in the Children's Book Committee Best Books of the Year.

A panel of judges comprised of two math/science faculty from the Graduate School of Education, two teachers from the School for Children and two distinguished Bank Street alumni will narrow the field of sixteen to four.

Following the same format as the Irma Black Award, third and fourth grade teachers and librarians are invited to read aloud, discuss and encourage students to vote for their favorite STEM book of the finalists.

History

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, The Cook Prize, 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.

Click here for a short video from The Cook Prize 2012 presentation featuring author/ illustrator Brian Floca on the process of designing the seal.