Title : The Hatmakers
By :Tamzin Merchant
Genre : Children's Fiction/Middle Grade
Published by:Penguin Random House Children’s UK
Publish Date: 07 Jan 2021
Review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3840390921


: You may have guessed that the book is about Hatmakers, however this book is much more than just about millinery. Cordelia Hatmaker is the youngest Hatmaker in her family and as such she can not make hats yet.

The Hatmakers are just one family of makers, there are also Glovemakers, Capemakers, Watchmakers and Bootmakers. These are not just ordinary milliners and cobblers, these families poses magic. Each might sell work to the public but their most important client is the King.

Once friends these makers are now rivals all thanks to the misters Cainmakers who no longer exist.

Cordelia lives with her aunt and uncle and is learning about magic ingredients used by the family to make hats. Her father, Prospero, is a seaman and is on a ship at sea. On his return home his ship, the Jolly Bonnet, is sunk. Cordelia is convinced her father is alive, she wants to search for him but there is a big problem in the way. The king is not acting himself and the makers are tasked to help him, if they fail it could mean England will go to war with France.

Can Cordelia solve both her fathers "disappearance" and stop her country from going to war?

This book deals with a lot of themes. It is good to see that Merchant didn't shy away from such emotions given the age of her audience. It showed that trust is not just something children have to earn but that adults do too. Grife and loss are themes that run though the whole book and show how people deal with them differently. There is LGBT+ rep in here too, Merchant was very close to the edge but managed to mage it good rep in the end. With characters like Sir Hugo and the time setting it is easy to see that Merchant has a love of acting. The only grey area I am weary of is how mental illness plays out in the book.



I didn't feel holey ok with it being based on a real person. Trust me I am no royalist but the fact it is based on King Gorge worried me a little. As did the fact and manner of ........SPOILER......His cure. Personally I would hate for Children to think that someone suffering with a mental illness can snap out of it if they have the right clothes. This only other issue I had with the book was, if cook was going to wash Cor in a bath she would/should have had her friends leave the room.

I enjoined the dynamic of the friends and that even though I found, in some places, the plot was predictable and even guessed who was behind it all I take into consideration that I am much older than the target audience and I still got a kick out of it. Particularly Chapter 26, I was holding my breath.

I'm looking forward to the next book The Mapmakers.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot...there are other reviews like that out there already if that's what you are looking for.

I was initially drawn to "The Hatmakers" as I have several hatmakers in my ancestry (though sadly not as magical as the Hatmakers in this gorgeous book!)

The book is aimed at older children/young adults, but as I've never quite grown up, and still believe there is magic to be found in the world, I thoroughly enjoyed it too!

This is a magical tale of adventure and derring-do, where the main characters discover that magic exists within themselves as well as in the obvious way. Heartwarming friendships, great baddies, and plenty of well-drawn supporting characters all added to the enchanting mix.

I haven't seen a hardback copy of the book, but even on my Kindle the illustrations are beautiful, so I imagine they will be even nicer in print.

I understand that there is to be a sequel, and look forward to reading it!

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

"It was a wild and lightning-struck night. The kind of night that changes everything"

This was a great read, if you like middle grade books and you are looking for a great adventure this one was so good.This is set in an alternate historical England. It took me a little while to learn who was who and learn about the subjects but it was such a great read. I find it brilliant and fast paced.

I loved the idea of this maker magic system and find it very interesting, the characters were lovable and the writing unique!I had so much fun reading this book.

This is lovely! It bounces along merrily, with little jokes thrown in along the way. The magical world is built well, with enchantments children will understand and enjoy. Perfect for around age 8 or 9.

I really enjoyed Cordelia's adventure. It was full of magic and mysteries. The illustrations through the book were beautiful, just like the cover! It was really fun to discover this world. It would be such an amazing book for children.

Thankyou to netgalley for providing me with a copy of The Hatmakers in exchange for an honest review. This book is everything i wanted and more. It was so fast paced and every chapter ended in a way that made me just want to carry on and see what was in store for the characters of Cordelia and Goose. I did guess who the villains were going to be early on however the twists and turns that happened were very unexpected. Cannot wait for the next book.

I could not put this book down - it is a truly magical, feel good adventure with a wonderful array of characters and the idea of the story is utterly brilliant. In a gentle way it eases you in to a different world and once in it the reader is taken on such a thrilling adventure. The author writes with such ease and it is so clever the way she interweaves really important messages into the story. I have read so many books but this one for me has magic in its very core, I was enthralled, engaged and inspired by the story and just cannot wait for the next one in the series to set off once again with these characters. This would make such a wonderful film.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a truly magical afternoon's reading.

I am guilty - I saw the cover and I didn't even need to read the synopsis. Totally fell for it. But! If you think the cover is magical, then you aren't ready for the shower of magic that is this story. The characters, the world, the humour, the adventures... It's an alternate London filled with magic and possibilities.

I love middle-grade books because they jump straight into the story, and this is what happens here.

Cordelia and her family are The Hatmakers - famous for creating undeniably fashionable hats, but most importantly, filled to the brim with magical ingredients! The ingredients are collected on their adventures around the world, and can be anything from ''Waltz Moth'', ''Thunder Rain'' or ''Starlight''. These hats can make a person do anything - be more kind, silly, peaceful, brave or even evil!

And just like the hatmakers, we have the glovemakers, and the bootmakers and other makers in this world. They are all assigned with the task of crafting the most exquisite, exchanged garments for the King and the princess. Cordelia's father goes missing in a shipwreck, the King has totally gone into silly-mode and can't rule, and the young princess needs to negotiate peace with the King of France who keeps sending her threatening letters. All sounds pretty simple, ey?

Laugh-out-loud funny and imaginative, this story is for all of us who still like to nurture the magic inside of us.

The author was able to weave a story that keeps the magic just right under the surface of your skin throughout the entire story. I don't think you will be able to read this without smiling and feeling like your heart is a cup of hot cocoa. No page was left without a sprinkle of magic, which is what makes this story more special.

And, if someone doesn't turn this into a movie, a show or an animation of some sorts, I will be mad.

Who would love it: If you enjoyed reading HP, The Winterhouse series, Matt Haig's Christmas books, funny, heart-warming stories filled with magic, friendship and adventure.

Enter a mysterious, magical world of Hatmakers, Cloakmakers, Bootmakers, Glovemakers and Watchmakers! Be aware! These Makers do NOT get along! The main character is Cordelia, who is an apprentice Hatmaker. Her father has been lost at sea when his ship was wrecked on the rocks. Cordelia doesn't believe her father (Prospero) is dead and she attempts to find him. The story is set in London - a long time ago. Cordelia lives with her Aunts and Uncle in Hatmaker House. There are lots of 'baddies' in this story. Who would you trust? Goose, (a Bootmaker) Miss Starebottom (the Governess), Sam Lightfinger, Lord Witloof, Thieftaker Sternlaw, Sir Hugo Gushforth, The Crazy King, The Princess Georgina? A war between England and France is looking likely so The Makers are all busy making Peace Clothes to present to the Princess so the war will not eventuate. Half way through the book, all is not what it seems! Something fishy is going on! All The makers have been robbed of the Peace Clothes and The Menacing Cabinets (which hold evil ingredients) have been emptied too! Who done it? All is not what it seems!

'Guards closing in like storm clouds behind her'

Adventure and excitement on every page...

Things work out best when everyone is united.

A touch of Magic - A Sprinkle of Humour - A Dose of Baddies! And yes... there's more to come!

The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant is a magical historical tale for ages eight years and over.
The story is set in London at the beginning of the nineteenth century during the reign of King George. It is an adventure where goodness needs to be harnessed to fight evil.
The tale is a cautionary one as we witness the results of pursuing worldly riches. We see the damage rivalry does as a very perceptive young heroine declares with clarity “We’re stronger when we all work together.”
Magic is not necessarily the supernatural. Magic can happen when we believe in ourselves and our talents, firing up our imagination.
The Hatmakers is an exciting story that will appeal to both boys and girls alike. There are life-lessons found within that can also be used as starting points for discussion.
The novel is beautifully illustrated too. I had a kindle version. I imagine a paperback copy will be even more beautiful.
The Hatmakers would be a welcome addition to any child’s bookshelf.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

This cute middle grade was great. I loved the illustrations. A story of a girl saving her family. Great historical elements. Magical hats. Highly recommend. Perfect ending.

The Hatmakers engaged me right from the first page. It is a delightful, fast paced book which children are going to love. There will be a copy heading for our school library as soon as it is available for purchase.

Children will love the main characters Cordelia and Goose as they navigate their way through some tricky situations. The fantastical idea that hats, gloves, boots and cloaks can be infused with ingredients that have magical properties is completely captivating.

I can see teachers enjoying reading this to their classes and I can’t wait to read the next instalment.

Imagine if clothes could affect your mood or change aspects of your personality. A hat could give you a confidence boost, give you a dash of bravado, help you sleep or fall in love. In Tamzin Merchant's enchanting debut middle grade book, The Hatmakers, clothes have these magical properties and their creators are highly valued craftspeople.

Cordelia is part of the Hatmaker family. For centuries her family have been the creators of the headpieces worn by the British royal family. They use their skills to create hats that keep the monarchs level-headed, improve their concentration and help them negotiate peace. They use materials from plants, birds, and insects to create their masterpieces. The Bootmakers, Cloakmakers, Glovemakers and Watchmakers also create their masterpieces, that come together to form the Royal Garb. While the clothes have power individually, they are more powerful if all of them are worn at the same time. However, a rift between the families has left them untrusting of each other. The Hatmakers work their magic, not only for the royal family, but for anyone who needs a special hat to improve their life. When Cordelia receives word that her father's ship has been wrecked and he is missing, she knows that he can't be dead. She knows that she needs to ask the king to send a ship to find him. The King, however, is acting rather strangely indeed. It is hoped that a special hat will return the king to normal, but when this doesn't work, the king's advisor, Lord Witloof, suggests a holiday by the sea might help and puts Princess Georgina in charge. Cordelia knows that she must convince the princess to send a ship to find her father but every attempt to ask for her help is thwarted. Meanwhile, each of the Maker's houses are broken into and their precious materials, needed for making their creations, are stolen. Cordelia is accused of being the thief and so she sets out to discover the true thief. She uncovers a plot that will set England at war with France, and when the rest of her family are imprisoned, it is up to Cordelia and her friends to foil the plot and save her family.

The Hatmakers is tantalisingly good! From the moment I picked up this book I was captivated by its magic and I didn't want to put it down. Tamzin takes us back to a time to a London filled with horse and carts, Lords and Ladies, scruffy orphans and lavish palaces. While it seems familiar, it is also a London filled with magic, where clothes can make a person who they wish to be. As with all magic there is a dark side to this creation of garments, and one particular outfit will make your skin crawl. There are plenty of twists in the story to keep you guessing, with many of the characters not who they first appear to be.

There are so many things I loved about this book. Tamzin is a gifted storyteller, whose words wrap you up in a comforting blanket. I became immersed in her story as soon as I started reading and the language that she uses paints a vivid picture of her world. The idea of clothes being created, with special ingredients entwined in them and added to them to give them certain properties, is just amazing. It is fascinating to read the descriptions of Cordelia's aunts and uncle creating the different aspects of the hats. Cordelia is left in charge of the hat shop in one part of the story and she knows that she is not allowed to create new hats. However, she has several customers who come in to the shop needing specific hats. This was my favourite part of the book, as Cordelia creates hats for them (even though she knows she shouldn't) and the hats have unexpected consequences. Two young men, who need a hat to help them win a pistol duel, get hats of a different kind, and an actor gets more than a cure for stage fright. I love the idea of food being a kind of magic too. The Hatmaker's Cook suggests that food is a kind of magic because it 'can heal all manner of maladies.'

Tamzin's glossary at the back of the book adds even more to the story. The glossary is fascinating and lists the ingredients that are 'most potent and valuable for apprentice hat makers.' Each ingredient is named, with a description of what it looks like or where it comes from, and what property it possesses. The Sicilian Leaping Bean 'gives the wearer a sense of levity and gladness of heart,' the Feather of the Athenian Owl 'can be used for cleverness, concentration and contemplation,' and Mellow Daisies 'promote a happy-go-lucky attitude and a sunny outlook.' I could imagine a faded, leather-bound book filled with these descriptions and drawings of the ingredients for identification.

Paola Escobar's cover and internal illustrations are like the ingredients added to the Hatmaker hats. They give the book an extra magical quality. Paolo's cover illustration invites you in to the world of the Hatmakers and his internal illustrations give you glimpses of the characters and the events of the story. I love that Paolo has even topped the Hatmaker house with giant hats.

The ending perfectly wraps up the story but leaves the promise of more adventures to come. I'm already dying to get back to the world of The Hatmakers and find out what happens next.

This was an amazingly exciting debut from a brilliant author.
The plot and characters were fantastic and the story flowed from scene to scene perfectly.
I didn't want to put it down once I had started and was eager to discover where the story was heading.
I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

Brilliant.

This book! Absolutely fantastic! I shared a link with many friends snd encouraged them to order! Wow! For more information head to my goodreads review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3705699459

This is a book of pure enchantment, both in the reading of it and the world you find yourself immersed in. I loved the characters names and how they were a nod to the greats in previous fiction.

If you want a magical, charming, exciting, funny and heartwarming book to fill those dark winter evenings or even bright summer days, you can not go wrong with this one. It is practically perfect in every way..

Are you ready to enter a London full of magic, mystery and treachery? If so, join Cordelia Hatmaker in this wonderful adventure that simply oozes magic. Cordelia desperately wants to be a fully fledged hatmaker, but she’s not old enough. Living with her aunt, uncle, great aunt and cook (with her rolling pin), Cordelia learns that her beloved father has been lost at sea. Meanwhile, things aren’t quite right right at the palace with a rather mad King George and France threatening war. So begins the treachery that will see Cordelia embark on a magical adventure.
The books is beautifully written with such vivid descriptions that conjure up the atmosphere of this London: from the palace to the parks to the Maker’s houses, as a reader you’re immersed in this world. The characters are beautifully crafted and full of delightful twists too; from the loyal and steadfast, to the dark and dangerous. I thoroughly loved this book and it kept me gripped from the very beginning with its beautiful writing and many twists and turns. And there’s a map and a glossary - sheer book lover heaven! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK for the e-arc, and to Tamzin for giving us this magical adventure.

A creative book that introduces us to interesting characters filled with magic and old London, this is sure to be a hit with younger audiences. It’s a nice escape for adults, too. I could see this being made for television or cinema. It’s left open for additional stories, but the storyline finishes well. Fantasy and magic fans will enjoy this, and it’s mainstream so sure to bring in a nice Following.

At the risk of repeating myself yet again, like a great many readers I often choose titles based on their front covers – even more so than ever now, possibly, because I haven’t set foot in a bookshop for several weeks. With most of my book-hunting currently online, this is a title I found myself drawn to on Net Galley primarily because of the glorious art work on its front cover begging me to choose it.

Having been hooked in by the front cover, I went on to read its blurb which led me to believe that this would be a fantastical adventure, featuring a protagonist making a magical hat. This is somewhat over-simplifying the story, and to that is to do it a great disservice because it is in fact a far deeper tale of enchantments, courage and terrible danger. For anyone dismissing reading it based solely on the blurb, I would suggest you might want to reconsider.

That protagonist is Cordelia Hatmaker, who we first meet pretending that her attic bedroom is in fact a ship being buffeted about on the sea by the storm crashing around outside her house. When there is a loud banging on the front door, several storeys below her, she rushes down – believing it to be her father returned from a voyage at sea. Instead, it is Lord Witloof who tells her – and her Uncle Tiberius and Cook, who have also been roused by the noise – that The Jolly Bonnet has been shipwrecked with the loss of all hands, including Captain Hatmaker who has been away collecting the final ingredient for the king’s new hat.

Having been put to bed with a Moonbloom Nightcap to send her to sleep, Cordelia wakes up the following morning with a plan and sends Agatha, one of her family’s Quest Pigeons, out to try to find her father, carrying a message asking him to come home as soon as he is able. Telling Tiberius that whatever is lost can be found, she insists that the family need to finish the Concentration Hat they are creating for the king, as they are expected at the palace. As her Aunt Ariadne puts the finishing touches to the hat, she quizzes Cordelia as to the reasons for including all of the magical ingredients she adds, which she has included to assist the king’s ability to concentrate.

Arriving at the palace, Cordelia is surprised by the chaos going on and catches a glimpse at a sheet of paper upon which is the king’s order to commission the Ironfire Cannon Factory to make a huge number of something which she cannot quite see. She is even more surprised, however, when she reaches the king’s chamber and sees the monarch half-dressed and acting in the most bizarre fashion. As she watches, Lord Witloof and the princess try to calm the king down in order to get him to sign important documents which will ensure peace with France.

After managing to get the king to put on the Concentration Hat, initially it seems he has come to his senses, but it isn’t long before he starts to complain that he needs to take off his shoes and a doctor is summoned who recommends a holiday at the seaside to clear his head. Before her family leaves to return home, Cordelia summons the courage to ask the princess and Lord Witloof to send a boat to search for her father but is told that none can be spared because they are needed to defend the country.

As Cordelia tries to think of another way to search for her missing father, her family is given a new responsibility – to create a Peace Hat for the princess, which will be part of an outfit created by all of the maker families to avert war with France. Unfortunately, it soon becomes apparent that someone is keen for the hat not to reach its wearer when it is stolen. Cordelia suddenly finds herself in the midst of a plot to sabotage the plans for peace once and for all and must do all that she can to ensure that war does not break out between her beloved England and France. Who has stolen the hat and why? Will Cordelia be able to find it in time? And will Agatha return with news of Captain Hatmaker, or is he lost forever?

Lots of stories contain magical items, but where clothes are involved they are very often limited to items such as invisibility cloaks. Here, not only is there a range of unique hats which bestow particular abilities upon their wearers, but other garments such as gloves and boots – all of which have an effect on whoever uses them. I really liked this idea, and it is used to greater and greater effect as the story progresses, with the history of the different maker families slowly being revealed and playing a key part in the overall plot. Following the story, there is a wonderful glossary which lists a great many of the magical items used by the Hatmaker family, which will delight younger readers and inspire them, I’m sure, in writing their own stories based on Cordelia’s adventures.

Cordelia herself is an eternal optimist. She refuses to believe all of the adults around her who insist that her father has been lost forever, and shows a remarkable level of resilience in her efforts to prove they are wrong. Additionally, she is self-reliant and adaptable – quickly changing her plans in light of what goes on around her and trying her hardest to do what she believes to be the right thing, whether that is selling people the specific hats to meet their needs in the family’s shop, or dealing with those who she discovers are not what they appear to be at first glance.

I’m sure this will be an extremely popular read with more mature year 4 children and above. As with so many of the books I’ve reviewed lately, I suspect that sadly this might be seen as a girls’ book by many younger readers and their adults, which is a great shame as I know some of my boys would enjoy both the humour and the magic within its pages. Huge thanks must go to both Net Galley and Penguin Random House Publishers for allowing me to read this ahead of publication on February 18th. 4 out of 5 stars.

This was such a charming and fun read. It is a middle grade fantasy novel that follows a young girl named Cordelia. She belongs to a family of hatmakers, who make magical hats for people. These hats can be created for someone to help them achieve something specific. We pick up the story as her father has gone missing while going out to sea to get ingredients for hats. This is a story filled with magic, adventure and good fun. I absolutely adored this book. How am I meant to wait until spring 2022 for the sequel though?