Comedian Richard Herring has a major problem.

He''s about to turn 40 and hasn''t seen it coming. He''s not married, doesn''t have a proper job or 2.4 children. But now, finally, it looks as if the world expects him to be a grown up - and he''s completely unprepared for it.

As the momentous and terrifying event approaches (his birthday), Richard notices a steep decline in his own behaviour. Inexplicably he begins to behave more childishly - hanging out with 22-year-olds, developing an unhealthy addiction to Flumps and even getting into a ludicrous fight.

How Not to Grow Up is the funny story of how a self-confessed perpetual Big Kid deals with his greatest fear - getting older - and is the perfect book for everyone who, deep down, still thinks that they''re 18.