All Except Winston

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Pub Date 01 Aug 2022 | Archive Date 31 Jul 2022

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Description

Winston the Giraffe is often left out by his peers because he’s different. He is often ignored and deals with feelings of loneliness. But when something dangerous happens, it’s Winston who saves the day with his special strengths and skills. Bright illustrations and a relatable story will teach readers the value in their differences and how to treat others with respect.

Winston the Giraffe is often left out by his peers because he’s different. He is often ignored and deals with feelings of loneliness. But when something dangerous happens, it’s Winston who saves the...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781508199434
PRICE $28.25 (USD)

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Send to Kindle (PDF)

Average rating from 21 members


Featured Reviews

All Except Winston is a really sweet story about a giraffe named Winston who tends to keep to himself. I really liked how him helping his fellow giraffes made him come out of his shell and for them to embrace him! Very fun illustrations.

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I really like this book! It tells the story of Winston, a young giraffe who has a shorter neck than the other giraffes his age. He often feels left out because he cannot do the same things as the giraffes with "normal" length necks. One day he alerts his friends to danger and saves the day and suddenly everyone realizes how important it is to have Winston with them, even though he is different. It is a really great story about including others, differences and disabilities, and remembering that what makes us unique can have both positives and negatives but what really matters is accepting others and feeling accepted.

Diversity and inclusion are hot topics right now and I think that this is a perfect book to add to a collection on diversity. While it is not an "own voices" or disability advocacy story, the messages within it could easily be transferred or used as an example for why it is important to appreciate our differences and to include others. Sometimes using animals to tell these kinds of stories make it more comfortable, concrete and easy to relate for younger children. Using the idea of a giraffe with a shorter neck would be something that is easy for children to identify as unusual while taking the burden off of people with disabilities from having to constantly be in the spotlight as a lesson to others about differences.

I also really love the artwork in this book! There are lots of different texture and print making designs that give it a really neat look. I think that I would definitely use this book as an example of texture in artwork. As a grade 3 teacher I would definitely consider purchasing a copy of this book for my classroom library. I would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 4-9 range. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

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All Except Winston is a beautifully illustrated story about a lonely young giraffe named Winston. He feels left out often because he's different from the rest of the other young giraffes. Winston isn't as long-necked or as tall as the others. But one day, when he and the other giraffes are in danger, Winston is quick to act and save the day!

I found this book interesting because I can see that this book might be about diversity and inclusion but it felt like something was missing. From the very beginning of the book, there isn't much conflict between Winston and the other giraffes. They simply seem to be in their own spaces. The other three giraffes aren't mean or seem to be excluding Winston actively. Then when the hungry lion arrives, Winston is quick on his feet and saves the other giraffes and then they're all friends. I almost felt like the message of the story was rather that Winston had to learn to be brave despite his differences and then he was able to make friends. Due to this ambiguity, I could see great discussions in the classroom among students as they discuss they thought the story was teaching them.

Overall, All Except Winston would be a fun picture book for young students to try and read on their own. The illustrations of the safari were detailed and enjoyable to explore. Thank you NetGalley and Windmill Books for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

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All Except Winston offers a unique, fun perspective on neurodiversity.

Featuring amazing artwork with a wide variety of amazing textures. I loved trying to figure out what the illustrator may have used, finger paints, potato stamping… very intriguing. The story is not what the reader may expect. We don’t often hear about a character that doesn’t join in with the others. And yet, even though Winston doesn’t include himself with the other giraffes, he seems to be very aware of his surroundings and in the end helps others around him.

A super sweet story to help better educate young readers about neurodivergence and how everyone is different in their own way.

Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & Windmill Books

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This is the cutest little goodie about a little giraffe named Winston who’s always a little bit lonely…. He gets left out and has to eat lunch and take naps by himself. But no worries - he ends up saving the day from a prowling 🦁 and makes a whole lotta friends after that.



This one comes out on August 1st and can’t be missed!

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This was a darling story about a sweet giraffe named Winston. All Winston wants is to feel included. He watches all his friends eat and sleep and play games and he just wants to feel included. One day he gets his chance and saves the day. Hooray for Winston! I totally will buy this book and read to my classroom. The illustrations are wonderful as well. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

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I loved this book for kids. It's a sweet story about a giraffe who is never included in play with the other giraffes, but who saves the day despite that. I think this one will be really relatable to young children who have trouble making friends, or interacting with their peers. It shows that it's ok to do things by yourself. I am a little sad at the ending of the story, as it takes Winston saving the day for the other giraffes to appreciate him, and I think some kids might take that to heart to mean they have to "earn" friendships, so caretakers may need to be aware of this and reinforce the idea that you can do nice things despite how others may treat you, but overall it's a sweet story.
This review was in exchange for a free advance e-copy of All Except Winston.

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What a sweet little book! I love that Winston saves the day and the rest of his giraffe herd recognizes his great work. Would love to understand more about why Winston was excluded.

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I’m a teacher, so I always approach children’s books with the “how can I use this book in my classroom” perspective. A cute story with great illustrations! I am envisioning lots of fun crafts for this one, especially African/safari themes. Winston, a loner giraffe, helps saves the day when danger looms. Short and sweet…a great read aloud for kindergarten or others with short attention spans. Based on the pictures alone, you’ll be able to come up with some good prediction questions (what do you think is about to happen?, what will Winston do?, etc.)

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Winston is a bit of a loner who is often alone instead of interacting with the other giraffes. When danger is in the midst it is Winston that comes to the rescue and saves the day, making new friends in the process!

The illustrations in this book are beautiful! This is a sweet story that might inspire children to look out for lonely peers like Winston and invite them to play.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review

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Miigweetch to Netgalley and Windmill Books for the DRC.

This is a cute story about accepting and valuing the differences in others, told via Winston, a giraffe whose neck is shorter than that of his peers. This anomaly causes Winston to be shunned by the other giraffes and consequently he is lonely. This story could be seen as an allegory for including disabled children in group play but it is not heavy-handed in any way and could also just be looked at as a straight forward story about an anthropomorphic group of giraffes.

I enjoyed the art style and thought it struck the appropriate tone. I recommend this book for elementary school students and school libraries.

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A very sweet story about inclusion and community.

Winston is different from the other young giraffes with his shorter neck, and finds himself excluded from the group activities because of this. But when the other giraffes are in trouble Winston is the only one who is able to notice the danger and save the day.

The design of characters is absolutely adorable. Winston's story is a great way to introduce young readers to diversity and inclusion, as it touches on disability, ostracization and community. I would highly recommend this story for young readers and schools.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Giraffes are my most favorite animal, so I had to grab this one and I'm so glad I did.

Sweet, sweet Winston has a shorter neck than the others. You can't help but feel a little sad for him, but it seemed like he wasn't too worried about being left out all the time. But after he saves the day he's so happy to be included. The illustrations by Nicoletta Bertelle were a perfect addition to help tell this great little story.

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The giraffes all reached for the best fruit and twigs in the African sun, but Winston ate alone. He drank alone, as well as played alone and slept alone. When Winston heard a rustling, he heard it alone. Will Winston be able to get the attention of the other giraffes in time?

All Except Winston has whimsical illustrations that are expressive and well drawn. The story itself is written in broad strokes and can be interpreted in different ways. Is Winston alone because he wants to be, has he been shunned by the others, or does he simply not know how to relate to his peers? The lesson and message that can be gleaned from All Except Winston can be used by educators or parents to help children who are struggling with feelings of insecurity and low self worth. Although this book has deeper meaning, children will just enjoy hearing how Winston's being alone becomes an asset to the rest of his peers.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of All Except Winston by NetGalley and the publisher, Windmill Books. The decision to read and review this children's book was entirely my own.

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Sweet Winston is different than the other giraffes - his neck is much shorter. He wants to be loved and accepted for who he is! I enjoyed the importance of inclusion in this book, and thought the illustrations we're cute and inviting.

This is a cute, fun quick read children of all ages would enjoy.

Thank you Windmill Books for a digital copy of this book! This book was published 8/1/22!

💙 Mommy (@𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭.𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐦𝐨𝐦) and Ronan (@𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐤𝐢𝐝) approved ✅

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I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Winston likes to sit back and enjoy the quiet while the others munch away. One day he gets really loud when he sees a lion and saves the herd. The herd is happy, but Winston still sits back and enjoys the quiet.

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A darling read I shared with my nephew (1.5 yrs) who was engaged by the images and sweet story. Would absolutely reccomend further.

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Such a cute book that our toddler really enjoyed! He loves giraffes and other zoo/safari animals therefore this was right up his alley. Loved the illustrations, color choices and it kept him engaged.

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Beautifully illustrated and a fun way to remind children about being kind and respecting everyone's differences.

Thank you NetGalley and Windmill Press for the ARC.

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