What Sheep Think About the Weather

‘A thought-provoking and very readable book’ The Mail on Sunday

‘A breezily written yet wise and complex book on what animals think, feel and know.’ Sy Montgomery, Times Literary Supplement

Are animals trying to talk to us? And can we learn to listen?

It started with a hummingbird dive-bombing Amelia Thomas over her morning coffee, and a pair of piglets determined to escape. Soon Amelia begins to wonder about all the creatures around her – her cat, her dogs, the pheasant family inhabiting the woods, her ‘difficult’ big red horse, even the earwigs in her farm’s dark, damp corners. Were all these animals trying to communicate with her in some way? And could she learn to listen and understand what they were saying?

With the doggedness of a journalist, the soul of an animal lover, and the wonder of a curious intellect, Amelia embarks on a journey to uncover the answer. Along the way, as well as groundbreaking chimps and circumspect octopuses, she’ll meet an extraordinary cast of experts, from anthrozoologists and trackers to AI researchers and pet psychics, all offering a new perspective on the subtle, complex ways animals connect with us.

Filled with warm wit, playful stories and surprising science, What Sheep Think About the Weather is a call to listen – not only to the animals we love but to the untamed world around us.

‘A refreshingly open-minded and wide-ranging book that seeks to bridge the gulf that all too often separates us from our fellow creatures.’ David Barrie, author of Incredible Journeys

‘A warm and thought-provoking read, filled with plenty of charm and wit. You'll never look at animals the same way.’ Jules Howard, author of Wonderdog

‘Compelling, original and surprisingly introspective, it simultaneously uncovers the animal in us and the human in animals.’ Hannah Bourne-Taylor, author of Nature Needs You