The heartwarming and hilarious part-memoir, part-guide from comedian and father-of-six Ashley Blaker, tackling parenting, adoption and raising children with special needs. 'We had such a variety of experts visiting our home, we really needed a revolving door. All these professionals would watch our son playing while shaking their heads and making tutting sounds, like builders considering a bad job you wanted them to fix. "Tut tut tut. No speech, disordered social skills, sensory issues. This is going to cost you!!"' Ashley Blaker has six children, three of whom have an SEN diagnosis. Between endless meetings, countless therapists, public humiliations, failed playdates, surreal monologues and occasional violence, it's certainly not what anyone would call a 'normal' household - but would he want it any other way? Normal Schmormal is part-memoir, part how-to guide, highlighting the many challenges, as well as the hugely rewarding elements, of parenting children with additional needs. Written with humour, compassion and a lot of love, it's a must-read for parents, carers and teachers of children with SEN, either looking for a bit of support or in need of a very big laugh.

Advance criticism. 'Utter rubbish' - Adam Blaker 'Just lies to make us look bad' - Ollie Blaker 'The words are too bright for my ears' - Dylan Blaker 'If it sells a million copies, how much LEGO will I get?' - Edward Blaker 'iPad not working' - Zoe Blaker 'Can I have a drink?' - Bailey Blaker Gold title * The conversations around learning disabilities are becoming more mainstream and central to this is the role parents play in their children's development and happiness. * This is an incredibly positive and entertaining book for parents - an antidote to a lot of the more serious and worrying content out there. * There are over 350,000 children with a learning difficulty in the UK. This book will likely appeal to many parents of SEN kids, as well as their teachers/therapists or carers. * Ashley is very well-connected author from working in TV for many years. * His Radio 4 show 6.5 Children and his Edinburgh Fringe comedy show Normal Schmormal both had enthusiastic support online and great reviews.

Competition: Autism;Uniquely human;NeuroTribes;The Reason i Jump;Ten Things Every Child With Wishes You Knew;Can You See Me;The Autistic Brain;The Life You Never Expected;A Normal Family;Untypical;Different Not Less;. Jessie Hewitson;Naoiki Higashida;Oliver Sacks;Rachel Wilson;Pete Wharmby;Chloe Hayden;John Donvan.