"That's quite a story," said her mother. "It's not a story, it's true!" said Josie.
The madcap and hilarious world of Mr Milliner
The Milliner books
The Magical Misadventures of Mr Milliner series follows Morgan and Josie's chaotic friendship with Mr Milliner who lives in an Oak Tree.
The problem is, only they can see him.
The question is, is he just an imaginary friend or is there more to Mr Milliner than meets the eye?
(Suitable for children aged 8+)
The Musings of the Milliner
Book One
Oh, what fun to make a new friend! When a pair of siblings meet a peculiar fellow, is he imaginary… or something more?
Eight-year-old Josie doesn’t expect she’ll ever grow up. So she thinks nothing of spending sunny afternoons playing with her brother Morgan and their adorable dog Spike.
Josie stumbles across the Milliner one day, as she plays hide and seek with her brother Morgan and their dog Spike. Soon all kinds of adventure happen with the Milliner and chaos is never that far behind. To the children, the Milliner is real. But to everyone else, including their Mother, the Milliner is just a figment of their imagination.
This is a wonderful book full of stunning illustrations that capture the beauty of this joyful story.
The Musings of the Milliner is the delightful first story in The Magical Misadventures of Mr Milliner chapter book series.
“This book took me back to my childhood when imagination, creativity and curiosity were part of everyday life.”
“I giggled all the way through it. Such a refreshing look at life through children's eyes."
The Ponderings of the Milliner
Book Two
Book Two reunites Morgan, Josie and Spike with Mr Milliner for a second summer.
The children receive word from Captain Cornelius, who just happens to be a pirate, that he would like them to join him aboard his ship - for lunch. Cornelius introduces his crew, finally getting to the parrot. “This be soup,” he says, and Josie is concerned that the parrot is on the menu - but all will become clear.
The Ponderings of the Milliner reminds us of our childhood when we could step inside our own world, with imaginary friends, who were as real to us as the noses on our faces.
Throughout the story, James leaves the reader wondering where the line between imagination and reality is.
A brilliant book that children will treasure.
The Ruminations of the Milliner
Book Three
When a penguin turns up at the house, Mrs Berwick has some very serious questions for the children. However, her questions only cause the Milliner to do as she requested and turn her garden into a winter theme park.
Another brilliant book from the mind of James Hywel that children and adults will love.
The Ruminations of the Milliner is the delightful third story in the Magical Misadventures of Mr Milliner children's chapter book series. If you or your child like exploring creativity, and whimsical innocence, then you’ll love James Hywel’s wondrous tale of childhood.
“Pure magic for any age of reader - thanks, James!”
The Cogitations of the Milliner
Book Four
The Cogitations of the Milliner is another touching tale about every child's wonderful imagination and the world they create in their minds. In their world, absolutely anything is possible, and when Mr Milliner gets involved, things usually go from bad to worse.
Mr Milliner decides to write a book about his life, much to Morgan and Josie’s surprise. However, they are more concerned about what his occupation might have been before he became a milliner. Josie sets about hatching a plan to get Mr Milliner into telling her.
Will she succeed or will the Milliner outsmart her and avoid her questions by talking about dinosaurs?
Another brilliant book from James Hywel that children and adults will love in equal measure.
The Cogitations of the Milliner is the delightful fourth story in the Magical Misadventures of Mr Milliner children's chapter book series. If you or your child like exploring creativity, and whimsical innocence, then you’ll love James Hywel’s wondrous tale of childhood.
“Another brilliant book from the mind of James Hywel that children and adults will love in equal measure.”
“Not sure who laughed more, me or my children? Absolutely wonderful!”
The Meditations of the Milliner
Book Five
The children discover that their mother’s bedroom rug might just be a flying carpet and that Mr Milliner may be just the person to fly it.
Josie notices that something is written inside Mr Milliner’s hat and soon puts all her detective skills to work. Maybe Mr Milliner isn’t a milliner after all? Mrs Berwick isn’t happy when the children let Mr Milliner borrow their bicycle. They try to reassure their mother, struggling to understand why she is concerned. After all, what’s the worst that can happen?
“Utter magic, as we have come to expect from James Hywel. My children loved it!”
The Mutterings of the Milliner
Book Six
It's been five summers since Josie and her brother Morgan found Mr Milliner living inside the oak tree. Will Mr Milliner be there for a sixth summer? The children are excited to find out, so as soon as school ends, they head for the oak tree.
Morgan and Josie begin to realise that their time with Mr Milliner is running out and soon they will be adults. Josie is troubled by this and tries to find out how much time they have left, but as usual, Mr Milliner is very vague.
In the meantime, the children build a wooden fairy house for the Fae Folk to live in but soon realise that with fairies comes a Book of Laws.
The Memories of the Milliner
Book Seven - coming soon!
This will be the final book in The Magical Misadventures of Mr Milliner series.
The children have finally grown up, but they aren't ready to say goodbye to their friend just yet.
Other Books from the Milliner
The Official Mr Milliner Song & Rhyme Book
This is a FREE ebook download. It has all Mr Milliner's songs and rhymes so you can sing along.
We all know how everyone enjoys Mr Milliner’s songs and rhymes.
Well, we have some good news......
James announced that The Official Mr Milliner Song & Rhyme Book is available via our online store as a FREE download.
This ebook is ONLY available from our website.
We hope you enjoy learning these songs and singing them all summer!
the Milliner illustrations by Isabel Prickett
Mr Milliner
'Eeee-moo' the Ostrich
Mr Milliner
Mr Milliner lives in an enormous oak tree in the middle of a field. He has no concept of time, believing that adults invented it to stop everything from happening at once. He can also change any conversation into complete confusion in a matter of moments. Josie always wonders if he does this deliberately just to annoy her.
Spike
'Eeee-moo' the Ostrich
Mr Milliner
Spike is a little Jack Russell who lives with Morgan and Josie. He is full of mischief and knows too much English for his own good. He always accompanies the children on their adventures and they treat him just like another friend. Although Spike often gets into trouble, the children can’t be cross for long.
'Eeee-moo' the Ostrich
'Eeee-moo' the Ostrich
'Eeee-moo' the Ostrich
The Ostrich, or an “Eeee-moo”, as Mr Milliner calls them, makes an appearance very early on, by disrupting afternoon tea in the garden. Luckily, the “Eeee-moo” and Mr Milliner disappear before they’re seen by Mrs Berwick. Although she is suspicious when her washing smells of cigars!
'Pardon' the Pig
'Pardon' the Pig
'Eeee-moo' the Ostrich
“Pardon the Pig” is another animal that just arrives at the Berwick home uninvited. It is instantly in trouble for digging up Mrs Berwick’s flowerbed and Mrs Berwick makes enquires about where the pig has come from. The children know exactly who is behind it all - Mr Milliner!
The Oak Tree
'Pardon' the Pig
The Oak Tree
Mr Milliner lives in an enormous oak tree. There is a door at the base of the tree, which Mr Milliner opens with a large wooden key. Inside is a maze of corridors leading to other doors, some of which Morgan and Josie have never been in.
The Gate
'Pardon' the Pig
The Oak Tree
There is a large wooden gate at the top of the field where Mr Milliner’s oak tree is. Morgan made a special sign to stop adults from disturbing the Milliner. Every so often, this sign has to be changed, as you will see….
The Milliner's Hat
The Milliner's Hat
The Milliner's Hat
Mr Milliner wears a very strange hat indeed. It’s covered with all sorts of bits and bobs, including a candle so he can see in the dark and a broken alarm clock, even though the Milliner doesn’t believe in time. His pet harvest mouse, Ronald, can often be seen sitting on the Milliner’s hat.
There is also a Jay's feather, which the Milliner believes is lucky.