What Sheep Think About the Weather: How to listen to what animals are trying to say
By: Amelia Thomas
‘This emotionally charged page-turner is a masterpiece.’ Pilley Bianchi, author of For the Love of Dog
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
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‘Blend the lively, buoyant writing of an award-winning non-scientist with a boat-load of direct experiences with animals, and you have this book. I found it both illuminating and entertaining from start to finish.’
- Jonathan Balcombe, author of Super Fly and What a Fish Knows -
‘A must read for anyone interested in how nonhuman animals (animals) talk with one another and with us … Based on the latest science, fascinating stories and personal reflections, this easy-to-read, fact-filled and fun-filled book will open all of your senses including your sense of awe and get you to wonder what it is like to be one of them in their worlds, not ours.’
- Marc Bekoff, author of The Emotional Lives of Animals -
‘Every single page of this marvellous book will challenge you, even enchant you … I cannot recommend it highly enough.’
- Jeffrey Masson, author of When Elephants Weep -
‘Compelling, original and surprisingly introspective, What Sheep Think About the Weather simultaneously uncovers the animal in us and the human in animals.’
- Hannah Bourne-Taylor, author of Nature Needs You -
‘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 -
‘Amelia Thomas is a powerful storyteller and has hit it out of the park in this contemporary anthology of our relationship with animals. From cuttlefish to cows, this brilliantly written and emotionally charged page-turner is a masterpiece and masterclass for all animals – human and nonhuman.’
- Pilley Bianchi, author of For the Love of Dog -
‘A refreshingly open-minded and wide-ranging book that seeks to bridge the gulf that all too often separates us from our fellow creatures. It movingly reveals how much they have to tell us – if only we are willing to slow down and listen to them properly.’
- David Barrie, author of Incredible Journeys -
‘Thomas’s passion and concern for animals comes through in vivid scenes and poignant prose that reveals the importance of understanding animals on their own terms . . . an inspiring display of empathy.’
- Publisher’s Weekly -
‘A sweet and sometimes sad journey into the natural world beyond humanity. This is for naturalists, birders, pet owners, and anyone who interacts with animals or would like to.’
- Library Journal -
‘A comprehensive yet conversational book that effortlessly illuminates the possibilities of human-animal communication . . . Full of fascinating facts wittily conveyed, it elucidates science and nurtures empathy. Thomas’s genial tone will make readers feel they know each of the pets and wild animals described.’
- Shelf Awareness