Bob Odenkirk is a comedy legend best known for the TV-MA world of Better Call Saul, but he has a fantastic "in" for younger families with his book Zilot & Other Important Rhymes. For elementary and middle schoolers, his voice work in Incredibles 2 is the perfect gateway, while his adult dramas and action films like Nobody should stay on your "after bedtime" list.

If you only know Bob Odenkirk from his work with Bryan Cranston, his foray into children’s literature might seem like a "celebrity vanity project." It isn't. Zilot & Other Important Rhymes is a legitimate masterclass in wordplay that started as a series of poems he wrote with his children when they were young.

At Screenwise, we talk a lot about the "Reading Rope"—the idea that literacy isn't just about decoding letters, but about building language comprehension through vocabulary, syntax, and verbal reasoning. Odenkirk’s rhymes are pure "comprehension" fuel. They use invented words (like the titular "Zilot," which is a word for a fort made of blankets) to force kids to use context clues and imagination.

If you have a kid who thinks poetry is "boring" or "for school," this is the book that breaks that spell. It’s silly, slightly subversive, and rewards being read aloud. For a deeper look at why this works, check out our guide on how humor and wordplay build better readers.

For most kids, the first time they’ll actually see (or hear) Odenkirk is in Incredibles 2. He plays Winston Deavor, the telecommunications mogul who wants to make Supers legal again.

It’s a perfect "starter Odenkirk" role. You get the fast-talking, charismatic energy that made him famous in Better Call Saul, but wrapped in a PG-rated package. If your kid is already a fan of the movie, that’s your opening. You can talk about how Odenkirk’s character is a "hype man"—someone who uses words to change how people see the world. It’s a great conversation starter about media, PR, and how stories are told.

Find more great movies for elementary schoolers

Eventually, your kid is going to see a poster for Better Call Saul or hear people talking about Breaking Bad. These shows are masterpieces, but they are heavy. We’re talking drug trade, intense violence, and complex moral decay.

The move here isn't to just say "no" and walk away. It’s to explain why he’s so good in them. Odenkirk plays characters who are incredibly smart but make terrible choices—a "tragic hero" for the modern age. If you have a high schooler who is ready for prestige TV, Better Call Saul is actually a phenomenal study in consequences and the "sunk cost" fallacy. For the full breakdown on when to greenlight the Albuquerque cinematic universe, see our guide to Better Call Saul for teens.

And then there's Nobody. It’s Odenkirk’s "John Wick" moment. It’s R-rated, it’s bloody, and it’s a blast for adults, but it’s definitely not for the middle school crowd. However, it’s a great example of an actor reinventing themselves at 58. That’s a cool "life lesson" story to share: you’re never too old to learn a new skill (like two years of intensive martial arts training).

As we look toward the rest of 2026, Odenkirk isn't slowing down. With the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations hitting full gear this summer, keep an eye out for his appearances in historical comedy specials or patriotic tributes. He has a knack for showing up in sketches that poke fun at American history without being cynical.

There are also rumors of a Nobody sequel set to drop in the near future, which will likely double down on the stylized action of the first. If your older teen is into stunt choreography and "Dad-core" action, this will be one to watch for. Based on the first film, expect high-octane violence and Odenkirk’s signature "everyman" grit.

If your family is engaging with Odenkirk’s work—whether it’s the poetry or the Pixar voice—here are a few ways to deepen the experience:

Odenkirk is a "writer's actor." He values the script above all else. If you have a kid who's interested in writing or comedy, looking into his career path is a great way to show that "overnight success" usually takes thirty years of hard work in the writers' room.

Get help picking a next book series for a funny kid

Q: Is Bob Odenkirk’s book Zilot & Other Important Rhymes okay for preschoolers? Yes, it’s perfect for ages 4 and up. The rhymes are silly, the illustrations (by his daughter, Erin Odenkirk) are charming, and it’s a great way to build vocabulary through fun, weird words.

Q: What age is Better Call Saul appropriate for? Most Screenwise parents find that 15 or 16 is the sweet spot. While it’s less "action-heavy" than Breaking Bad, the themes of fraud, moral compromise, and the legal system are complex and the violence, when it happens, is jarring.

Q: Are there any other kid-friendly Bob Odenkirk roles? Aside from Incredibles 2, he has done voice work in Smallfoot (as the character Gwangi) and appeared in Little Women (2019) as Father March, which is a lovely, quiet role for a family movie night.

Bob Odenkirk is proof that you don't have to stay in one lane. He’s a bridge between the "silly" world of childhood imagination and the "serious" world of adult drama. Start with the rhymes, move to the Pixar heroics, and save the Cinnabon-manager-turned-lawyer saga for when they’re old enough to appreciate the heartbreak.