Cabin Head and Tree Head
by Scott Campbell
Tundra, 2025. 88 pages.
Review written November 21, 2025, from a library book.
Starred Review
Normally, I’m the annoying person who points out holes in world-building or failures in internal logic. “That wouldn’t work,” is my frequent criticism.
Let’s be clear: There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the beginning graphic novel Cabin Head and Tree Head would not work and that this world is completely ridiculous. But because it is so over-the-top, it is utterly hilarious and dazzlingly brilliant.
The first chapter, “Hellos,” is perfect for letting us understand the concept. First, we meet the two main characters. (The lines below are in speech bubbles.)
Hello, Cabin Head!
Hello, Tree Head!
I see that your peeps are home and having a hot meal. That must be nice.
Haha, right you are! The smoke gives it away.
I notice things about my best friend.
I notice that you’ve got a small child in your tire swing there.
Haha, right you are! Just swinging away!
It is good to see that tire swing get so much action.
The two characters in question are Tree Head, a greenish creature with arms, legs, eyes and mouth – and a tree growing out of their head, and Cabin Head, an orangeish creature with arms, legs, eyes and mouth – and a small house on their head.
After this, Tree Head gets a case of the HELLOS, so he goes out and greets more creatures and we come to understand this world. He meets, among others, Mail Truck Head, Bench Head, Wishing Well Head, Fountain Head, Automobile Heads, Mossy Rock Head, Telephone Pole Head, Doghouse Head, Pool Head. Construction Head has too much noise to hear their Hellos, but Outhouse Head offers to bring greetings. And then they startle Volcano Head, so he erupts. But they save the day by using Catapult Head to fling Boulder Head, who plugs Volcano Head.
It’s all just so silly! And that’s only the first story!
Another story is about Cabin Head making pictures of his friends and posting them on Brick Wall Head. And then there’s one about digging for treasure. Cabin Head helpfully makes a map – without burying anything – so that Tree Head will do it the right way. Then in the story about hiding – we learn that the planet itself is on a creature’s head. The next chapter is about Tree Head getting a bad Leafcut. And then we’ve got a chapter about saying good-by. Neither one wants to turn away first.
There are bonus pages at the end from Pool Head – How to have a Pool Party, and Box of Crayons Head – Drawing Time. And on the last page, we get the promise, “Cabin Head and Tree Head shall return for more wonderful book times.” I’m so glad about that!
So how does this world work? What is the point of an automobile on top of a creature’s head? How do people get from one head to another? It’s best not to get bogged down by those questions and enjoy this delightfully silly humor.
Altogether, this book is perfect for a kid who’s ready to think about reading chapter books. As a graphic novel, there’s not an abundance of text, and the language is simple – but the humor makes it all rewarding to decode.
The good news is: It’s short enough to win the Geisel Award for beginning readers. I haven’t read as many of those as the committee has (nor do I have as much background in what makes a Geisel winner), but this one has my vote. And the bonus, of course, is that older kids will enjoy this book, too. And adults like me aren’t able to resist reading it aloud to my co-workers.
Hahahaha! As I close the book after writing this review, I notice that on the back, there’s even a Barcode Head.
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Childrens_Fiction/cabin_head_and_tree_head.html
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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