Emmy-Nominated Actor Bob Odenkirk Collaborates with Daughter Erin to Publish Children’s Book

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Emmy-Nominated Actor Bob Odenkirk Collaborates with Daughter Erin to Publish Children’s Book

Bob Odenkirk harbored a long-standing desire to permanently capture the imaginative poems he co-created with his children, first penned many years ago.

Originally, the actor, recognized by Emmy nominations, anticipated that “Zilot & Other Important Rhymes” would materialize as a project long after his offspring had departed the family home, perhaps even in his later years as a grandfather.

However, during the prolonged home confinement of 2020, Odenkirk and his daughter Erin, the younger of his two children, aimed to construct a literary work that could inject a sense of wonder and delight into young lives during a period marked by widespread gloom.

“The circumstances were difficult for everyone, not just us,” Odenkirk recounted, referencing the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Erin, who was finalizing her studies at the Pratt Institute via remote learning, filled her bedroom wall with her father’s verses, drawing upon them for artistic inspiration during breaks from her academic responsibilities.

“I had them posted beside my workspace. I would select two or three every day and attempt to create a preliminary sketch,” Erin, now 22, reminisced.

While both father and daughter cherish the memories of their collaboration, they concede that the endeavor presented its fair share of obstacles.

“There were inherent challenges. Consider any collaborative effort you’ve been a part of,” said the star of “Better Call Saul.” “The pandemic and familial ties made it impossible to distance ourselves.”

Yet, they concur that the project has deepened their relationship and afforded new dimensions of mutual understanding.

The book, named after a fabricated word for “fort” invented by Odenkirk’s son, displays a conspicuous reverence for its juvenile audience, introducing them to intricate subjects like microbiology and environmental shifts. This approach aligns with Odenkirk’s earlier parenting strategy.

“I aimed for a sophisticated use of language when communicating with my children, encouraging them to be unafraid of making lexical errors and learning from them,” he explained.

Although recent years have seen Odenkirk pivot towards dramatic roles, including significant parts in “Breaking Bad” and its offshoot, “Better Call Saul,” he has a diverse background in writing and performing for comedy sketches on platforms like “Saturday Night Live” and “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!”

A steadfast supporter of labor rights, Odenkirk has been an active member of the Writers Guild of America for over 30 years. Despite recent contract settlements between the Guild and the studios, he remained committed to the cause, supporting striking actors the following day.

“These negotiations are fraught with challenges,” he noted, referring to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. “Both sides must endure hardships to underscore the criticality of the issues at hand.”

Nevertheless, his nuanced grasp of the industry’s complexities hasn’t deterred him from encouraging his own children to venture into artistic careers, albeit with reservations.

“The arts can be a fulfilling but precarious way to earn a living,” he said.

For her part, Erin is appreciative of her father’s supportive stance as she embarks on her career in the arts post-graduation in Brooklyn. Yet, growing up in a household brimming with artistic fervor also meant navigating personal tastes and strong opinions.

“It’s a delicate balance between encouragement and quickly developing a set of aesthetic values that can sometimes be constraining,” she said.

According to Odenkirk, children raised in the Hollywood environment often possess a unique blend of idealism and realism regarding the industry.

“They tend to view it as both attainable and less idyllic than it might appear from an outsider’s perspective,” he concluded.

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More about Bob Odenkirk children’s book

• Bob Odenkirk’s IMDb Profile
• Pratt Institute Official Website
• Writers Guild of America
• “Breaking Bad” Official Website
• “Better Call Saul” Official Website
• Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)
• Children’s Literature and COVID-19
• Parenting Approaches in the Arts and Entertainment Industry