YouTube stars Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal will make their children’s book debut next year, HarperCollins announced in a news release.
The press will publish the comedy duo’s Spaghetti Head & Chicken Fingers, illustrated by Erica Salcedo,in the spring. The publisher calls it “a hilariously relatable picture book about what happens when you are what you eat—literally.”
McLaughlin and Neal, better known to their fans as Rhett and Link, have been best friends since they were first graders in Buies Creek, North Carolina. The duo worked as engineers before pursuing comedy full time and, in 2012, they launched the YouTube variety show Good Mythical Morning, which now has more than 19.4 million subscribers. They also host a companion show, Good Mythical More, and a podcast, Ear Biscuits.
They are the authors of two previous titles, the nonfiction book Rhett & Link’s Book of Mythicality: A Field Guide to Curiosity, Creativity and Tomfoolery, and the young adult novel The Lost Causes of Bleak Creek, co-written with Lance Rubin.
Their children’s book will follow two young picky eaters: Saffy, who enjoys buttered noodles, and Lumo, a fan of chicken fingers. Saffy wakes up one day to find that her hair is now spaghetti, while Lumo’s fingers have been replaced by his favorite poultry treats.
“We’re incredibly excited to team up with HarperCollins Children’s Books to share Spaghetti Head & Chicken Fingers with families everywhere,” McLaughlin and Neal said in a statement. “As dads, we’ve witnessed the daily drama of picky eating up close—and we know we’re not alone! Our goal is to spark some smiles and laughter for both kids and parents alike, brought to life through the brilliant illustrations of the incomparable Erica Salcedo.”
Spaghetti Head & Chicken Fingers is scheduled for publication on June 16, 2026.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
