The Hatmakers
#1 in Hatmakers Series
What’s inside...
Cordelia comes from a long line of magical milliners, who weave alchemy and enchantment into every hat. In Cordelia's world, Making - crafting items such as hats, cloaks, watches, boots and gloves from magical ingredients - is a rare and ancient skill, and only a few special Maker families remain.
When Cordelia's father Prospero and his ship, the Jolly Bonnet, are lost at sea during a mission to collect hat ingredients, Cordelia is determined to find him. But Uncle Tiberius and Aunt Ariadne have no time to help the littlest Hatmaker, for an ancient rivalry between the Maker families is threatening to surface. Worse, someone seems to be using Maker magic to start a war.
It's up to Cordelia to find out who, and why . . .
Featuring illustrations by Paola Escobar.
Why read this book
- Sparks creativity and imagination in young readers.
- Enhances vocabulary and understanding through magical storytelling.
- Builds empathy and understanding through diverse characters.
- Encourages family bonding over shared reading adventures.
Discussion points
What do you think inspired Cordelia to keep creating hats despite the challenges she faced?
How do the different magical hats affect the people who wear them? Can you think of a situation where a particular hat might be useful?
Why do you think the Hatmakers and the Bootmakers don't get along, and what can they learn from each other?
If you could create a magical hat, what special powers would it have and why?
How does the setting of the story contribute to the mood and magic of the tale? Which part of the setting did you like the most?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences to Cordelia’s journey, discussing any moments they’ve faced difficulties but continued to pursue their passions.
Discuss the importance of understanding and cooperation, using the feud between the Hatmakers and the Bootmakers as a reference point.
Use the story’s vibrant descriptions of settings and characters to help your child visualize the scenes. Ask them to draw their favorite scene or character from the book.
Encourage creative thinking by asking your child to design their magical hat, discussing what materials they would use and what magical properties the hat would have.
After reading, recap the story’s main events and themes, helping your child to summarize what they’ve comprehended and retain the story’s messages.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: In 'The Hatmakers', the protagonist Cordelia engages in the magical craft of hat-making, where each hat is imbued with special qualities. Her creativity helps save the day, showcasing that innovation can lead to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to embrace their creativity in solving problems or in their daily activities, emphasizing the value of innovative thinking.
Example Lesson: The importance of family and collaboration
Explanation: The Hatmaker family, despite facing numerous obstacles, demonstrates the strength found in family ties and working together towards a common goal.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the significance of cooperation and maintaining strong family relationships to overcome challenges.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in adversity
Explanation: Throughout the book, Cordelia faces various challenges but she consistently demonstrates perseverance, proving that determination is key to overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties, applicable in their academic and personal life.
Example Lesson: Respecting tradition while embracing change
Explanation: The story portrays the balance of honoring age-old traditions of the hat-making craft while adapting to new ideas and changes, capturing the essence of respecting heritage while fostering growth.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to value traditions and cultural heritage, yet also to remain open to new ideas and changes for continuous improvement.
Example Lesson: Understanding and resolving conflicts
Explanation: Cordelia often finds herself mediating conflicts and finding peaceful solutions, highlighting the importance of understanding different perspectives and resolving disputes amicably.
Real-World Application: Teaches children effective conflict resolution techniques and the importance of empathy, which can be used in interactions with peers.