Andrew V KranichfeldAndrew Kranichfeld always dreamed of making movies. His dream never came to fruition, and after losing his eyesight to a cancerous brain tumor, He was looking for a new outlet for his creativity. While reading over an email tribute he wrote about hislate mother, he realized her story of gardening would make a great children's book. So after help from family and friends, a little bit of editing, and finding an illustrator, his first book, Karen's Garden, was completed in 2012. Since then, Andrew has visited over forty schools up and down the Atlantic coast, sharing his book and its themes of family, gardening, growth, and generosity. He also brings with him a message of hope and inspiration; that despite cancer and blindness, he has been able to complete two children's books, manage social media for the Post Road Market, and get back into athletics through running and yoga. With his second offering, Oliver Saves the Nature Center, he wants to motivate young readers to care about the environment and the natural world. His love of nature was instilled in him by his parents, Hank and Karen. He grew up with his two older brothers in Rye, a suburb of New York City. Their home was modest, but they explored and enjoyed their beautiful and unique property with a babbling brook, beehives, grapevines, and greenhouses. Instead of normal family vacations, the Kranichfelds experienced the incredible beauty of nature. Whether canoeing in northern Maine's Allagash River, camping in the Central Kalahari Game reserve in Botswana, or visiting the Ding Darling wildlife sanctuary in Sanibel, Florida, it was always an adventure. Andrew hopes his new book will inspire the next generation to protect, explore, and most importantly, enjoy the environment. Read More Read Less