The beautiful, and beautifully illustrated, true story of one girl's journey growing up autistic, and the challenges of navigating the 'normal' world around her
Abigail Balfe (Author, Illustrator)
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.
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*
I REALLY love it. It's the book I wish I'd had when I was a kid
(I'd have known I was autistic immediately, right down to the
cats). Buy it for your kids, your parents, your grandparents.
Mostly buy it for yourself
*Holly Smale*
Illuminating
*The I Paper*
A hugely engaging, funny and informative account of being
neurodivergent
*Observer*
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*
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*
Insightful, accessible and easy to navigate, this is an essential
book for autistic and allistic (non-autistic) readers of all
ages
*Booktrust*
An amazing, life-changing hug of a book I wish I had when I was
growing up. It's funny, eye-opening and supremely reassuring and an
important, myth-busting look into autism and how that experience
can vary so much. For anyone and EVERYONE who has ever felt
different. Time to reclaim it and celebrate it
*Rashmi Sirdeshpande*
This book is a great explainer, full of empathy for different
situations, which explodes many misconceptions about autistic
people along the way! I wish I had had this available many years
ago when teaching an autistic child on a one-to-one basis
*Love Reading 4 Schools*
What a difference Abigail Balfe's new book is going to make for so
many people! A Different Sort of Normal is a wonderful blend of
humour, information & reassuring comfort
*Emma Perry*
Highly illustrated, beautiful and an essential book for young
autistic people
*Lizzie Huxley-Jones*
It is an outrageously beautiful, interesting, quirky, personal,
funny introduction to autism. It has super gorgeous illustrations
and details on every page, and covers SO MANY important topics.
*NeuroWild (Em Hammond) an autistic and ADHD speech pathologist,
illustrator and advocate*
Your book means so much to me and others - it was like reading
about my own life, even down to the special interests, as we are a
similar age! Such an important, accessible and wonderful book.
*Emma Reynolds, author, illustrator and founder of #kidlit4climate
campaign*
I wish I could go back in time and hand deliver A Different Sort of
Normal by Abigail Balfe to my younger self. But even thought I
can't, the Lucy of now very much appreciates feeling seen and
understood and is having to stop herself from tearing up.
*Lucy Powrie, author of The Paper & Hearts Society series*
It is honest, real and downright brilliant. Abigail writes in such
a brilliant creative way that really will draw in readers of all
ages. Seriously, ever since I discovered this book I knew it was
going to be special, that it would go places. It’s award winner
worthy, and I don’t think I’ve ever said this about any book.
*Louise Gooding, author of Wonderfully Wired Brains*
How dyslexic-friendly is it? This is probably the most accessible &
engaging book I have ever read. The authors' creativity and skill
for illustrations (she did them all herself!) and explaining things
makes it fun, pleasing to the eye and enjoyable.
*Dyslexic Reviews*
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