For quite some time, celebrated actor Bob Odenkirk felt a strong pull toward his playful childhood poems that he once created, arm in arm with his children. He had always nurtured the idea of consolidating them into a book, “Zilot & Other Important Rhymes,” a project he originally intended to accomplish when he was advanced in age and wearing the cap of a grandfather.
Life, however, took an unexpected turn in 2020. The pandemic found him under the same roof with his family offering a unique opportunity for him and his young daughter, Erin, to rekindle their shared love for the written word and illustrations. Faced with the bleak circumstances brought on by the global health crisis, the father-daughter duo sought to inject a sense of wonder and laughter into the lives of children.
Erin, an artist and an illustrator by profession, and a student at the Pratt Institute, seized this chance to breathe life into her father’s poems. Much like a secret project, she peppered her bedroom wall with her father’s words, seeking inspiration from them during her study breaks. The wall, she remembered, turned into a giant storyboard where she would pause to sketch an image or two each day.
This period of thrilling collaboration, however, was not without its struggles. Odenkirk confided about the challenges of working with a loved one. He compared the tension to working with a business partner, trying to agree on decisions amid a familial and pandemic-induced lock-in.
Despite the difficulties, the entire process was an enriching, therapeutic experience that strengthened their bond and opened new avenues in their relationship.
“Zilot & Other Important Rhymes” derivates its title from a word his son concocted, which refers to a fort. The book subtly incorporates complicated themes like climate change and bacteria and introduces complex vocabulary to its young audience. Odenkirk’s unique parenting approach is evident in this decision – encouraging children to fearlessly embrace new words, use them, and learn from their mistakes.
While Odenkirk has been more associated with his dramatic roles, notably in “Breaking Bad” and its successor, “Better Call Saul,” his roots as a writer and comedic actor remain embedded in him. He has always rallied for the cause of writers, evident in his steadfast presence on the picket lines when the Writers Guild of America went on strike. He believes in standing up for rightful demands and showing persistence even in challenging negotiations.
Odenkirk, with his extensive Hollywood experience, doesn’t shy away from encouraging his kids to venture into the arts. However, he admits to harboring some reservations due to the unpredictable and competitive nature of the industry. His daughter, on her part, appreciates the encouragement, even as she had to balance and develop her own creative tastes in a household teeming with strong creative forces.
According to Odenkirk, children bred in Hollywood carry a more realistic understanding of the industry, tempered with a belief in its transformative power, yet a pragmatic view of its not-so-glamorous side. As a result, they carry an advantage over those peering in from the outside, allowing them to better navigate the highs, lows, and unfiltered realities of the trade.
