> At a Glance
> – Good Mythical Morning hosts Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal reveal Spaghetti Head & Chicken Fingers, out June 16
> – The picture book follows two kids who literally become their favorite foods-spaghetti hair and chicken-finger hands
> – Illustrated by Erica Salcedo, it aims to reduce mealtime pressure and spark adventurous eating
> – Why it matters: Offers parents a humor-first tool for picky-eater battles without bribery or ultimatums
Rhett & Link are trading YouTube challenges for bedtime stories. The comedy duo behind Good Mythical Morning will release their debut children’s book this summer, turning their food-centric humor onto the universal parenting struggle of picky eaters.
The Story Behind the Spaghetti
The idea sprang from the hosts’ own brand-and their own kitchens. “We knew we wanted to do something food-related because food is such a big part of our brand, and this particular challenge is something that so many parents face,” McLaughlin tells News Of Los Angeles.
In the book, best friends Saffy and Lumo refuse anything beyond buttered pasta or chicken fingers. One morning they wake up transformed: Saffy sports a head of spaghetti, Lumo has poultry for hands. The surreal twist lets kids laugh at the proverb “you are what you eat” while subtly nudging them toward tasting something new.
No Lectures, Just Laughs
The pair deliberately avoided a moralizing tone. Instead of forcing clean-plate victories, the plot celebrates tiny victories like “it wasn’t that bad.”
Key messaging includes:
- Lower the dinner-table pressure
- Frame new foods as mini adventures
- Accept “I tried it and don’t like it” as success
Neal explains: “We understand why parents… resort to bribery and ultimatums… But what we’re hoping to do is inspire more adventurous eating because… it can be an adventure to try something new.”
Trusting the Illustrator
Rather than micromanage artwork, the authors handed visual duties to Erica Salcedo after falling in love with her portfolio. Notes were minimal; creative freedom was maximal.
Neal says they told her: “Keep doing what you do and be inspired by the story we’ve told, bringing it to life in your fantastical style.”
From Internet Dads to Page-Turners
Parenthood shaped the project. With kids of their own, Rhett & Link have long embraced what they call “internet dad” humor-self-aware, apology-ready, proudly silly.
> “We pride ourselves on never taking ourselves too seriously, and I think kids can see right through that,” Neal notes. “Instead, we embrace the silly and the camaraderie that is created with our kids, and now with the kids of our fans.”
By the Numbers
| Previous Releases | Format | Acclaim |
|---|---|---|
| The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek | Novel | NYT bestseller |
| The Mythical Cookbook | Cookbook | Fan favorite |
| Book of Mythicality | Memoir | Cult hit |
Spaghetti Head becomes their first venture into picture books when it lands on June 16, available for preorder now.
Key Takeaways
- Rhett & Link’s Spaghetti Head & Chicken Fingers uses humor, not lectures, to tackle picky eating
- The book hits shelves June 16, illustrated in whimsical style by Erica Salcedo
- Authors hope the story encourages kids to try new foods through adventure, not pressure
- The project extends the duo’s 20-year brand of family-friendly, food-focused comedy
Parents tired of dinnertime standoffs can pre-order the book now and brace for spaghetti hair dreams-no ultimatums required.
