The Hatmakers is a rollicking adventure for young readers by Tamzin Merchant. Due out 2nd Feb 2021 from Norton on their Young Readers imprint, it's 368 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. The art by Paola Escobar is whimsical and appealing and really sets off the story very well.

It's always a red-letter day when I come across a really good juvenile book. This one took me back to my own early book-loving days. A love of reading which lasts a lifetime is an incredibly precious gift and it wouldn't surprise me at all to hear someone in 20 years claim this book was the start of the bibliophile life for them. A dark and stormy night, an unexpected crash at the door, a shipwreck, and the start of a boundless adventure for young Cordelia Hatmaker who is brave, loyal, resourceful, and magical. There are so many cool details in the storytelling and the book itself that it's hard to narrow down to a few. The characters are wonky and wonderful. There is an abundance of whimsy, but it doesn't detract from the fact that it's really well written and put together. I loved loved loved the addition of a glossary at the end containing an abbreviated herbal ingredients (with funny made up (but appropriate) botanical names).

I enjoyed this one very much and would recommend it without reservation for public and school library acquisition, gift giving to a 9-12 year old friend/family, or as a bedtime read for precocious younger kids.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Cordelia Hatmaker comes from a long line of Hatmakers. Every hat is special and made for a purpose. With war looming, all of the Makers must create items for the Princess that inspire peace. To create a peaceful item, you must have peace in your heart while making it. That is easier said than done. While the family is making the peace hat, Cordelia's father is lost at sea, making it hard for them to have happy and peaceful thoughts. Other outside matters also make it seem like someone is conspiring against them.

I loved this book so much! It's about friendship, adventure, believing in your own magic, and hope. The characters are fantastic. The story is fantastic. The ending made me want the next book right now! This is definitely an author I will read more of.

Cordelia is the youngest of The Hatmakers. Searching for her father and fighting to help the king, can she unite The Makers and save England from war with France? Middle grade readers will enjoy this tale of friendship mixed with a twist of magic, adventure, humor, and mystery. The colorful and descriptive language creates vivid mental imagery and the story would make a delightful read aloud!

The Hatmakers is even more delightful and beautiful than its cover--and I think that it's cover is spectacular.

The Hatmakers follows Cordelia, a young girl who is part of the legacy of the Hatmakers family. The story has two general plotlines, one overarching one in which Cordelia's father, Prospero, is reported lost at sea after a shipwreck, and the main plotline in which there is a potential war brewing that the Makers are all fighting with one another over to assist the queen and stop.

Now, the magic in this book is really fun. One way in which is manifesting is in how the various families Make items. For instance, the Hatmakers imbue their hats with a variety of unique and oftentimes hard to get items--such as moonbeams, storms, and feathers from rare birds--that, when worn, can give the wearer feels of peacefulness, happiness, excitement, you name it. I assume this is also how it works for the Bootmakers, Glovemakers, Cloakmakers, and so on. I loved learning about all of the different trades and their methods of Making various magical items, as well as some tidbits here and there about past events that the Makers have been a part of.

The characters, such as Cordelia, Sam, and Goose, were all so full of life and had the most vivid personalities. There's plenty of twists and some drama littered throughout, and I appreciated how well Merchant portrayed these elements through her characters' reactions and emotions. The only perspective we follow is Cordelia's, but I still appreciated how much effort Merchant went to in order to create well-developed characters, even more minor characters that only show up in a few scenes.

I had so much fun reading this book and it really captured that nostalgic magical feeling I used to get when reading books as a kid. The setting itself is really fun and has a historical Georgian London time period that combines a sense of real history (think 'alternate,' maybe) with some magical twists that made it feel so timeless and welcoming to me. It's an exceptionally immersive setting that I really loved diving into and hope to discover more of in future books.

Merchant's writing is stunning and vivid, written with a beautiful prose style that is both accessible and full of elegance and wit. Some of my favorite parts of Merchant's writing are her focus on detail and her wit, both of which seem to play hand in hand. Something that I am always drawn to in books is when an author includes very minor, quirky details or insights about a world that aren't necessarily necessary, but that for me serve to build up the world and create a more immersive experience, and this is something that I think Merchant captured really well. Similarly, in doing this she includes some strong wit in both her creative details and a bit a humor that acts as an undercurrent and really helps make this story flow even better than it already does.

Overall, I loved this middle grade fantasy and have given it five stars! If you enjoy middle grade fantasy or are simply looking for something fun, imaginative, and exciting, then you should definitely pick up The Hatmakers.

After Cordelia Hatmaker’s father is shipwrecked before reaching his destination, her Aunt and Uncle have no hope that they will ever see him again. But Cordelia truly believes that he will return, and she is determined to do anything to find him, even though it goes against her family’s wishes. Meanwhile, her Aunt and Uncle work to make a Peace Hat for the King, and the other Maker families (The Bootmakers, Cloakmakers, Watchmakers, and Glovemakers) also work to make Peace clothing. But when someone threatens to destroy the Maker’s objects and war with France looms, Cordelia must join forces with her friends to determine who is threatening the safety of the Makers and the Kingdom.

Tamzin Merchant’s debut novel creates a fun world of magic and enthralling characters. The main character, Cordelia Hatmaker, stands out because of the optimism and bravery she displays throughout the novel. She never loses hope that she will find her father, and while she faces obstacles on her journey, her hopefulness allows her to summon the strength she needs to fight for her family. The Hatmakers’ close bond and shared appreciation for the delicate art of hatmaking highlights the importance of family and tradition. Yet, Cordelia’s secret friendship with a Bootmaker–a rival Maker family–illustrates that blood does not define your loyalty or friendships and that you are successful when you work as a team. Overall, it is Cordelia’s fierce personality that makes her a joy to read in this novel. She chooses to follow her heart and become the person she desires to be, despite opposition she may face from her family and the world. Anyone who is a fan of being swept away by a magical world will love this story!

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change.)

When Cordelia is told that her father, a Hatmaker who recently left to gather ingredients for the hats his family needs to make, died in shipwreck, she refuses to believe it. Cordelia is convinced that her father is simply lost at sea, and she thinks she can find him. However, at the same time she tries to find her father, a treacherous plot is secretly getting put into place that could hurt all of the Makers and the royal family. Will Cordelia be able to figure out what is going on in time to save those closest to her?

Well this was certainly adorable! A magical world with a fantastic plot and wonderful characters, The Hatmakers is a great middle-grade novel. Although it took me a little while to learn who was who and get used to the extravagent objects mentioned throughout the story, I soon got sucked into what was going on and didn't want to stop reading! Cordelia was such an entertaining protagonist, and her determination to find her father and save the day made me love her even more. I am really hoping there will be a sequel, as the ending left me needing to know what happens next!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Norton Young Readers for the ARC of The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant!

With thanks to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I very much like the premise of this book, a whimsical fantasy set in London a couple hundred years ago. I thought the idea of different royal Makers was interesting and the various elements they used to built the hats in particular were quite interesting. However the story took quite a while to really get going and I could see several of my students thinking the problems were solved too easily.

Great for readers looking for a cozy, satisfying, and whimsical read, Light hearted and heart warming this is a perfect winter read that students can devour while they are at home. A perfect isolation/lock down read for readers hoping to travel and escape while they’re stuck at home,

Thank you to W.W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for providing me an opportunity to review this title.

Cordelia Hatmaker, lives with her extended family and is learning how to weave enchantments into the hats they produce. Hatmaking is just one of the ‘Maker’ magical skills and the Hatmaker family is joined by Bootmakers, Glovemakers, Cloakmakers, Watchmakers and Cane makers. The Maker guilds are all very, very separate – to the point of outright hostility – which makes it awkward when the kingdom desperately needs their unified talents to avoid an international war.

Alongside her friends, Goose and Sam, Cordelia must solve the mysteries of what really happened to her father, to the king, and to the Maker guilds, and who is trying to prevent them from fulfilling their most important order ever.

Throughout this story, Cordelia reminds us about the importance of bravery, resourcefulness, and following your heart.

This book was an utterly delightful and charming laugh-out-loud adventure packed with whimsy, magic and friendship in a world that is just as enchanting as its characters.

Thank you to both Netgalley and Norton Young Readers for the chance to read this book.

The Maker’s have to help the King, who has lost his wits to silliness. At the same time, Cordelia’s father is lost at sea. I love the magic and storytelling in this story as well as Cordelia and her optimism in the time of tragedy. In this story, creativity is magic.

“Cordelia would smile at her father when he said this, and reply, ‘what are your gifts to me, Father?’ He would grin back and say, ‘The gifts of a Hatmaker. Wildness in your wits and magic in your fingertips!”

My only critique is that the main plot of the book seems to get lost in the details because at times the book felt a bit all over the place, with multiple pieces making up the overall plot. But the more I read, the more I am able to piece everything together and enjoy this story. Ultimately, I really liked this book and love that the ending leaves a bit of a cliffhanger.

“Everyone has the magic in them to Make things. Most people have just forgotten or got distracted or don’t believe they can.”

CW: death of a parent/missing parent

Middle grade books are growing on me, hence my choice of THE HATMAKERS, a whimsical tale penned by Tamzin Merchant, who played Georgiana Darcy with such grace in the 1995 TV version of Pride and Prejudice. That same spirit inhabits her debut novel, a compelling story about magic woven into hats by her family; in cloaks, clocks, boots, and gloves by other merchants.

Cordelia Hatmaker’s father recently disappeared during a buying trip . And when the King orders a Peace Hat from her family, a dark force wreaks havoc. Can Cordelia uncover her father’s fate, as well as the perpetrator of Kingdom chaos? An enthralling story for young readers!

4 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 02 Feb 2021
#TheHatmakers #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, W. W. Norton & Company, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

The Hatmakers is a entertaining adventure. There is magic in London and the Makers use that magic to create garments for royalty and the aristocracy. There is talk of war and the Makers are tasked with making peace garments for the king, Hatmakers making hats, Glovemakers- gloves, etc. Cordelia is 11 and she has just found out her father is lost at see, she is devastated but believes he is only lost and just needs to be found and maybe she can ask the king for a ship to go search for him but so much happens . I enjoyed this book and I think upper elementary grades will really enjoy this book, however it is a little predictable and reads younger for any higher grades. This book leaves you set up for the next adventure for Cordelia and I hope she brings her lovely supporting cast as well, we need more Goose and Sam. 3.5 stars from an adult perspective but I think kids will rate this much higher, so it gets rounds up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. All spelling and grammar errors in this review are totally my own.

Thank you NetGalley for granting me this wish! I had an incredible time reading this novel. It's wonderfully magical and offered a magical escapism into a world with adventure and fun! I had so much fun reading this and learning more about the characters. It's a whimsical and fast read, and I definitely recommend to others!

This was a WONDERFUL book! I love middle grade and this was just a fantastic journey into that genre. It made me feel happy and I was able to escape the world into this wonderful, beautiful, heart-warming, stunning, book. Have I said enough?? You should read this book. Right now. It was so good. So so good. Get it.

This beautifully-wrought, confident debut by Tamzin Merchant is aimed at middle-grade readers, but it’s basically a comfy blanket and a cup of hot cocoa in front of a crackling (violet) fire in book form—a cozy, escapist enticement for folks of any age. The story of Cordelia Hatmaker finding her place in the world—and her magical family’s business—is steeped in a delightfully enchanted setting and sparkling with singular characters and buoyant adventure. The message of staying true to yourself, even when your fate feels predestined, isn’t forced, but finely woven through the narrative like gilded threads in one of the milliners’ bespoke hats. I adore Merchant’s voice—I’m already anticipating her next release!

Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for providing me with an ARC of this lovely book and trusting me with an honest review.

I loved every minute of this book. It was magical. I felt such whimsy while reading, it was the perfect comforting read to escape into. The vivid imagery and imagination in this novel is unparalleled. If you enjoy books with a little magic and strong heroine this is a must.

This book was truly magical and I would love to see it made into a movie.

The characters were great, the plot was intriguing and the adventure was fun. It made me smile a lot. It set up book two for even more adventure and I couldn't be more excited.

Adults will find it predictable but I don't think that will be the case with children reading this book.

Thank you to Norton Young Readers and W. W. Norton & Company for the advanced reading copy.

I really wish I had liked this book more than I did. The premise is great- a fun story about using magic to Make things in a world of sailors, kings and princesses, and nefarious enemies. A lot of things just fell flat for me.

Cordelia was an OK protagonist. I think even an eleven-year-old me wouldn’t have loved her. She just didn’t seem as driven as I would have liked. She was smart, compassionate, and hopeful but just didn’t have that spark that drew me to her. The rest of her family, except her father, seemed similar. They were vaguely Addams Family-esque but couldn’t commit to being more than background noise to me. The villains were pretty obvious and things just seemed to work out a little too conveniently whenever they were involved. My favorite character was Sam- I would love a book from Sam’s POV.

The plot seemed to take a while to pick up, and once it did it was like every problem had an all too convenient solution. Things wrapped up too nicely and nothing was so exciting that it really sucked me in.

The magic was fun! I liked how the author made it sound like magic was all around us. The concept of items being imbued with magic and then used to create clothing wasn’t really something I had heard before. I like the idea of putting on a different hat or pair of gloves for different occasions and situations.

There were some really great messages woven into this book. I really loved the emphasis on believing in yourself, embracing your quirks, being compassionate and caring, and practicing inclusion and togetherness. It’s especially important to convey these messages in middle grade books, and the author does it well. I also liked the political aspects of the story. It’s nice that the author recognizes that middle grade readers are smart, curious, and interested in politics/current events. The author introduced the serious topics of war, greed, and revenge in an appropriate yet realistic and non-condescending way, and I loved it.

My favorite part of this story was Cordelia’s relationship with her father. Despite him not actually being in this book he also managed to be my favorite character. Prospero seemed like he was a fun, loving, and caring father. I loved Cordelia’s flashback scenes of him and wish there had been more.

I really love the foundation of this book, it’s just missing that spark that makes it a really fun story for me. The characters never really seemed to capture my attention and the plot was either too predictable or too convenient. I think I would have liked this slightly more when I was younger but I still don’t see young me loving this book. Still, this debut has a good groundwork and I think the author can do a lot with this world after some more fine-tuning and experience. I would read more from this author to see how her style develops and see if it is something I can relate to more!

I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

<i>The Hatmakers</i> is a middle grade book by actress Tamzin Merchant that has its charms. This is a regency London filled with whimsy and hidden magic, wherein Maker families specialize in garb such as hats, boots, and cloaks embodied with powers to enhance the paying public and the royal family. However, its silly aspects lurch more toward ludicrous, with a plot that is far too easy and predictable for readers of all ages. I cannot help but wonder how much the author has actually read in the genre.

The magic aspect of the book, I loved. There's something undeniably charming about taking various magical items and Making them into a cohesive, empowering accessory. Cordelia is a good heroine to follow, too, a smart girl who insists that her father wasn't just killed at sea, but is surely alive somewhere out there. Meanwhile, her eccentric family struggles to fulfill a royal commission. King George is mad, his daughter is being manipulated, and a war with France is looming. The Maker families of London are all to make garb that will help the princess radiate peace during negotiations with France, but their efforts are stolen and sabotaged, and Cordelia stumbles upon a most dreadful plot that will make her family and all of England suffer.

Cordelia is the only character who is really developed (though I am left wanting to know more about her ancient great aunt). The others feel straight out of Central Casting, terribly cliched, from the thief with a transparent secret to a villain with zero nuance and intelligence to some truly wince-inducing French accents. The plot is easy and convenient, such as how Cordelia easily listens in on a royal conversation from a neighboring theater box to a weird brief masquerade as highway robbers. No adults listen to her (or if they start to listen, they are interrupted); it's frustrating when too many complications happen because basic communication doesn't happen, repeatedly.

It's not a terrible book, but any means, but neither does it feel clever or original. It's a fluffy romp--and sometimes, a fluffy romp is exactly what a reader needs. Child readers are smart, though, and I can't help but think of myself at age 10 reading this and thinking, "Well, that seems a bit too easy for her," and "that was predictable" over and over again.

Cordelia and her family are hatmakers. They make magically infused hats for the king and the royal family. Their has been a lot of rivalry in the maker clans for many years now and now that rivalry is going to be used against the kingdom.

This was a unique and fun fantasy. I enjoyed the various “maker” families (glove makers, boot makers, watch makers...) Cordelia was an interesting character and was fun to follow through the various dilemmas that kept her from her goals. She deals with her own personal difficulties since her father has been presumed dead, all while trying to save the kingdom was a secret plot to start a war.