A Different Sort of Normal

CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR, THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS - SHORTLISTED
BLUE PETER BOOK AWARDS BEST BOOK WITH FACTS - LONGLISTED
OBSERVER CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH

Discover the award-winning true story of one girl's journey growing up autistic and undiagnosed - a must-read book about autism, neurodiversity and embracing who you are - for kids and adults alike. If you've ever felt different, out of place, like you don't fit in - this book is for you.

'This book is what I needed as a kid! Empathetic, joyful and beautifully authentic.' - Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark

'I REALLY love it. It's the book I wish I'd had when I was a kid. Buy it for your kids, your parents, your grandparents. Mostly buy it for yourself' - Holly Smale, author of the Geek Girl Series

'Honest, real and downright brilliant' - Louise Gooding, author of Wonderfully Wired Brains

Hi! My name is Abigail and I'm autistic.

But when I was a child I didn't know I was autistic. In fact - it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I discovered my neurodivergence and my life finally started to make sense.

This book follows my journey of self discovery from childhood through adulthood, as I attempt to navigate the confusing world around me - a world predominantly built for neurotypical brains.

In this book you'll find:

VERY IMPORTANT FACTS about neurodiversity, neurodivergence, autistic traits, autism and gender, sensory sensitivities, social communication, emotions, friendships, bullying, sensory overload, meltdowns, family, school, special interests, masking, puberty AND MORE

VERY PERSONAL STORIES involving toilets, cats, poo, swimming pools, my ridiculous family, my slightly unusual way of trying to make friends, falling up the French stairs wearing a skirt, getting locked in a cinema overnight and MORE embarrassing (and often hilarious) moments like these...

PLUS TIPS for supporting the neurodivergent people in your life, advocating for your own needs as a neurodivergent person, and learning to embrace what makes you different.

It's for children. It's for adults. It's for neurodivergent people. It's for neurotypical people. It's for parents, carers, siblings, teachers, librarians, psychiatrists, doctors, nurses - and everyone else too.

Basically - it's for you.

EXTRA IMPORTANT AND LITTLE KNOWN FACT: A Different Sort of Normal is also indirectly a story about growing up as an auDHD person - because nearly a year after this book was published I received my ADHD diagnosis!

Discover why readers love A Different sort of Normal:

'Funny, poignant and wise, with a rich seam of understanding and empathy . . . one of the best children's non-fiction books I've read in a long time' The Bookseller

'Probably the most accessible & engaging book I have ever read' Dyslexic Reviews

'Insightful, accessible and easy to navigate, this is an essential book for autistic and allistic (non-autistic) readers of all ages' BookTrust

'Funny, fascinating . . . a rewarding and highly entertaining read' Guardian

'A hugely engaging, funny and informative account of being neurodivergent' Observer

About the author

Abigail is a Brighton-based writer, illustrator and creative producer. Original storytelling has always been at the heart of Abigail's career and she has spent a decade leading social media campaigns for some of the biggest TV & entertainment clients in the world. Abigail also used to perform stand-up comedy and won several tiny trophies for her onstage humour; which involved life-size illustrations, ridiculous songs and rambling stories about her family.Abigail is a Brighton-based writer, illustrator and creative producer. Original storytelling has always been at the heart of Abigail's career and she has spent a decade leading social media campaigns for some of the biggest TV & entertainment clients in the world. Abigail also used to perform stand-up comedy and won several tiny trophies for her onstage humour; which involved life-size illustrations, ridiculous songs and rambling stories about her family.

Summary

CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR, THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS 2022 - SHORTLISTED
BLUE PETER BOOK AWARDS BEST BOOK WITH FACTS 2022 - LONGLISTED
THE OBSERVER CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH - JULY 2021

Discover the beautiful true story of one girl's journey growing up autistic and undiagnosed - and the challenges she faced in the 'normal' world.

'This book is what I needed as a kid! Empathetic, joyful and beautifully authentic. I loved it!' - Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark

I'm not like the other children in my class . . . and that's an actual scientific FACT.

Hi! My name is Abigail, and I'm autistic. But I didn't know I was autistic until I was an adult-sort-of-person*.

This is my true story of growing up in the confusing 'normal' world, all the while missing some Very Important Information about myself.

There'll be scary moments involving toilets and crowded trains, heart-warming tales of cats and pianos, and funny memories including my dad and a mysterious tub of ice cream. Along the way you'll also find some Very Crucial and Myth-busting Information about autism.

If you've ever felt different, out of place, like you don't fit in . . . this book is for you.

*I've never really felt like an actual-adult-person, as you'll soon discover in this book...

Told through the author's remarkable words, and just as remarkable illustrations, this is the book for those who've never felt quite right in the 'normal' world.

Discover why readers love A Different sort of Normal:

'Funny, fascinating . . . a rewarding and highly entertaining read' - Guardian

'I REALLY love it. Buy it for your kids, your parents, your grandparents. Mostly buy it for yourself' - Holly Smale, author of the Geek Girl series

A hugely engaging, funny and informative account of being neurodivergent - Observer

Insightful, accessible and easy to navigate, this is an essential book for autistic and allistic (non-autistic) readers of all ages - Booktrust

Report

A funny, fascinating illustrated memoir that conveys - via joyous tangential leaps, vivid doodles and informative notes - how it felt to grow up autistic and undiagnosed . . . a rewarding and highly entertaining read Guardian

Product details

• Authors: Abigail Balfe
• Assisted by: Abigail Balfe (Illustration)
• Publisher: Puffin UK
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 8 to 15
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.07.2021
• EAN: 9780241508794
• ISBN: 978-0-241-50879-4
• No. of pages: 128
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 228 mm x 15 mm
• Subjects: Children's and young people's books > Non-fiction books / Non-fiction picture books > Mankind; JUVENILE NONFICTION / Health & Daily Living / General, Relating to people on the autism spectrum, Interest age: from c 8 years, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Disabilities & Special Needs, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Disabilities