A Different Sort of Normal (Paperback) - Abigail Balfe

'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

'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


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

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 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.

Very important, very funny and very informative. This is the book the world needs right now.

About the Author

Abigail is a London-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.