The Hatmakers

By: Tamzin Merchant

Narrated by: Tamzin Merchant

An enchanting fantasy adventure about the importance of bravery, resourcefulness, and following your heart from a debut celebrity author.

When Cordelia Hatmaker’s beloved father fails to return from an ingredient-hunting expedition, Cordelia is the only member of the family who knows in her heart that he can’t be gone for good. Her grief-stricken aunt and uncle forge ahead to continue the work of their guild and to fulfill a crucial order from the King for a magical Peace Hat. But the enchantments woven into the carefully crafted goods of the Hatmaker, Bootmaker, Cloakmaker, Watchmaker, and Glovemaker guilds begin causing sudden inducements of rage and chaos. As war looms and the Peace objects backfire, Cordelia must find out who is using the Makers’ creations for dark purposes and uncover the truth about her father’s disappearance.

Funny, boisterous, and wise, Tamzin Merchant’s spellbinding debut draws listeners into a vibrant and captivating new world and introduces a heroine who keeps wildness in her wits and magic in her fingertips.

Artwork © Paola Escobar, 2020. Published by arrangement with Random House Children’s Publishers UK, a division of The Random House Group Limited.

Critic reviews

A swashbuckling romp for lovers of history and magic.—Kirkus Reviews

An engaging ode to the bonds of family and friendship, the power of teamwork, and the magic that we all have inside ourselves.—Booklist

Action-packed, intricately described.... An engaging endeavor.—Publishers Weekly

Silly at First, Charming by the End

It took me a little while to settle into The Hatmakers—the tone felt a bit on the silly side at first, and I wasn’t sure if it was going to be my kind of story. But once I gave it time, the whimsical world and eccentric characters really grew on me.

The book is full of quirky humor, magical hats, and a playful energy that makes it feel like stepping into a storybook. While it may not take itself too seriously, that’s part of the charm—it invites you to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride. By the end, I found myself smiling at the creativity, warmth, and heart threaded through the tale.

If you’re in the mood for something light, imaginative, and a little offbeat, The Hatmakers is worth the read.

A wonderful tale with magic and adventure

My 10yo son and I listened to this together and not only was the narrator very well versed in making all the characters unique, the story was adventurous, whimsical, and daring. We enjoyed waiting on the edge of our seats for what would happen next. The sillyness of the Magic and the seriousness of the situation collided together in a fantastic way. We were thrilled to see a second book was available to hear what happens next to Cordelia!

Sheer Brilliance!

Tamzin Merchant's "The Hatmakers" is by far the best book I've read this year. Barvo!

Huge disapointment

I thought this would be a great book to listen to with my kids. Just a few chapters in, and boys are kissing boys. No thanks! We immediately shut it off