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Rye Author Publishes Second Children’s Book After Going Blind

RYE, N.Y.-- Andrew Kranichfeld had what he called “a unique place to grow up.”

Andrew Kranichfeld has overcome blindness and cancer to write his second children's book.

Andrew Kranichfeld has overcome blindness and cancer to write his second children's book.

Photo Credit: Contributed
"Oliver Saves the Nature Center" was released by Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several local bookstores.

"Oliver Saves the Nature Center" was released by Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and several local bookstores.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Andrew Kranichfeld spent much of his youth outdoors, growing up in Rye.

Andrew Kranichfeld spent much of his youth outdoors, growing up in Rye.

Photo Credit: Contributed

His family lived in Rye in an uncharacteristically small house -- snug for Andrew, his parents and two brothers. 

Special about the home was that it sat on four acres of land, surrounded by broad grassy fields, a driveway large enough to make a U-turn, a wood shop and three greenhouses. 

Kranichfeld, now 31, said he could “describe the yard for hours.”

Kranichfeld, a Rye High School graduate living in Riverdale, has continued to channel his passion for the outdoors. Last week, he released his second children’s book, “Oliver Saves the Nature Center,” centered on environmentalism.

“There are certain decisions you could make in your daily life at home that could help the environment a lot,” said Kranichfeld in recounting the book’s message. “You can help the environment yourself.”

The 42-page book, intended for students from elementary to high school, was released online by Amazon and Barnes & Noble and in print at several local bookstores about a week ago. It was the product of over two years’ work—“revising again and again”—and some even larger challenges.

In 2010, Kranichfeld was diagnosed with a brain tumor and lost his sight. As a production assistant making TV commercials and interested in filmmaking, Kranichfeld faced blindness so decided he needed to change paths.

“I didn’t plan on writing books,” said Kranichfeld, whose first work, “Karen’s Garden,” was published in 2012 with a similar focus on the outdoors. “But I’m so proud of them.”

After releasing his first book, Kranichfeld visited more than 40 schools across the East Coast, spreading his environment-friendly message -- something he said he hopes to do again with his new book.

“If education can be fun,” Kranichfeld said, “then kids can learn and have a good time, and I have confidence that the book does that for some children.”

More about the author and his books can be found online by clicking here and here:

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