It Started With The Starlings - A book by Chris Snow / Maps & Diagrams. Part atlas, bird book, picture book, story book

"Love this book very much… it’s very clever and beautifully crafted. It’s a treasure.” Chris Packham

“It is a totally wonderful book in so many ways – really original. I felt my brain had been given a little swim in spa water after reading it. It’s just LOVELY.”  Nicola Davies, zoologist and award-winning author

“Simply beautiful!” Viv White

"Truly unique, somewhere between art, atlas, bird book and poetry. I smiled when I held it and turned the pages.”

"It slowed me down. I felt calm. It is like meditation.”

A celebration of winter, of birds and buildings, overheard conversations and stories, quiet places and busy streets.

It Started With The Starlings has been a labour of love since 2004, when I produced the first prints that appear in these pages. I'm proud of how it feels to hold in my hand and to read and take in. 

I love an old atlas and had this in mind for this book, so it is quite a big book at just under 21x30cm and 124 pages. It's pretty heavy too which I'm strangely pleased about. The paper is lovely and thick and untreated so it has a nice matt feel.

The book is printed by a company who seem to have a really good approach to their environmental and sustainability responsibilities.

Your book will be sent carefully packaged in a strong cardboard book mailer and with my sincere gratitude.

Thanks

Chris

PS My new book is coming out at the beginning of November 2025. There are more details about it here.

PPS If you would like to read more about the ideas behind the book then please head here