Acclaimed Children's Book Author Visits Edwardsville Elementary Schools

HAMEL/EDWARDSVILLE - Students at Edwardsville elementary schools had a special visit from a new children’s book author, but for Hamel Elementary School Principal Matt Sidarous, the experience was a reunion with an old friend.

On Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, author Zach von Zonk read his book “E-I-UFO: Old MacDonald Had a Farm” to Hamel students, encouraging them to sing along to a familiar song with an extraterrestrial twist. But his bigger message urged students to follow their dreams, and both Sidarous and von Zonk are proud they could encourage students through their own friendship and professional successes.

“They can do it. But I think the important part is that they have to go and take steps to work towards the dream and not just say, ‘I want to do this really badly,’” von Zonk explained. “I think throughout my life, there are things I’ve done that I’ve said, ‘I really want to do this,’ but I don’t take the steps towards it. It doesn't happen if you don’t take the steps.”

Sidarous and von Zonk went to high school together in Roselle, Illinois, where von Zonk played the tuba and Sidarous played the drums in their high school marching band. They became quick friends.

Sidarous’s life took him to Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 as an educator while von Zonk settled in Chicagoland as a writer for an advertising firm. Through the years, von Zonk began writing songs, poems and stories, with the goal to write a children’s book.

As he and his wife struggled to start a family, von Zonk’s love of kids led him to a conference for children’s book writers and illustrators, where he met an editor with Chronicle Books. Over the next five years, he finetuned “E-I-UFO: Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and published it through Chronicle Books in March 2025.

Since then, the book has received critical acclaim. Illinois Reads, which promotes literacy across different age groups, named the story one of its 2026 Books of the Year.

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This recognition encourages the authors to visit schools across the state. When Sidarous learned of von Zonk’s success as a children’s book author, he immediately invited him to come to Edwardsville.

“The news broke about his book getting a lot of popularity and acclaim,” Sidarous remembered. “Obviously, I said, ‘Hey, would you want to come to District #7?’”

Slinging a guitar and singing operatic rhymes with the kids at Hamel, von Zonk hopes the book inspires kids to “beam your dreams” and work hard toward their goals. He has gone on to write several stories for his son, and he hopes to publish more in the future.

Sidarous was pleased to see the lesson resonate with his students. He pointed out that several students are authors through Madison County’s Young Authors program, and he wants them to continue to find success. The fact that von Zonk’s lesson comes with a love for literacy is the best part for the educator.

“It’s a great lesson. I like the kids seeing somebody that chased their dreams but did it in a way that’s in terms of literacy and enjoying books and having fun with them,” Sidarous added. “I think it shows the kids that books and literacy could really be a lot of fun, and you can use your imagination.”

This rings true for von Zonk, who also encourages kids to seek out libraries. His book is available on Amazon, or you can request that your local library purchase a copy to share with kids across the region. Overall, von Zonk hopes to promote literacy and libraries alongside the message to work toward your dreams.

“If you want to see a book in your library, all you have to do is ask. The library will usually pick it up for you. If there’s any kiddos who want to see the book but they don’t want to buy it, they can always ask their local library,” he added. “I’m a big supporter of librarians and the library as a safe space for everybody. It’d be cool to have the book and to have as many kiddos as possible going to libraries.”

For more about Zach von Zonk, visit his official website.

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