A Different Sort of Normal

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 *