Children’s Book author Alexandra Kuehn gives us “Libby the Lunchbuddy”
Alexandra Kuehn was born and has lived in Maryland for most of her life. From a young age, she loved to write and read and was often found buried in a book. Her favorites ranged from “The Velveteen Rabbit” and “The Little Prince,”, to anything by RL Stine. After spending a brief time living in Louisiana, she developed a love of all things New Orleans. She now lives in Stevensville, MD, a small town on the Chesapeake Bay, with her husband Jeff and two beautiful daughters, Harper and Vivienne. Learn more: plumbennybooks.com
“Libby the Lunchbuddy,” by Alexandra Kuehn
Libby the Luncbuddy is her first book.
Here’s the story: Vivienne is nervous the night before her first day. Where will she sit? Will anyone talk to her? Will she have any friends at all? She gets through it all with a little help from a new friend. This story focuses on the importance of art and the imagination to help children gain the confidence they need to believe in themselves. Click here to buy the book!
Click here to read Alexandra’s blog starting with: The Best Back-To-School Strategy You’ve Never Tried
We’ve all been there—tightening tiny shoelaces, slipping a lovingly packed lunchbox into a backpack, and waving goodbye as our child walks into a brand-new school with nerves written all over their face. As parents and guardians, we want to fix everything, soothe every fear, and guarantee that they won’t sit alone at lunch. But we can’t walk them into every friendship or shield them from every pang of worry.
What we can do is hand them a story like Libby the Lunchbuddy by Alex Kuehn.
This charming, emotionally rich picture book delivers more than colorful pages—it delivers empathy, imagination, and a whole lot of heart. It centers around Vivienne, a little girl who’s feeling overwhelmed by the idea of starting a new school. Her biggest fear? Sitting alone at lunch.
Rather than brushing it off, Vivienne’s mom meets her where she’s at. She doesn’t offer generic comfort like “You’ll be fine!”—she offers a creative idea: draw a friend. A lunchbuddy. A magical companion who can sit with you in spirit, help you be brave, and keep loneliness at bay.
It’s such a simple suggestion, but it opens a powerful emotional door.
Vivienne dives in with markers and glitter. She imagines and creates Libby—a furry-eared, rainbow-haired, sparkling-eyed friend who radiates confidence. And that night, with her masterpiece by her side, she goes to bed a little calmer.
The next morning, in the middle of nervous bus rides and itchy noses, something magical happens: Libby comes to life. Not in a loud or over-the-top way. Just a whisper in her ear, a smile on her face, and a twinkle in the air. She’s exactly what Vivienne needs: quiet encouragement, not rescue.
Together, they navigate the school day. Libby gives Vivienne just enough support to try—a hello here, a lunch invite there. Soon, Vivienne is talking, smiling, and making friends. And by the end of the day, something changes. Vivienne realizes that maybe—just maybe—she doesn’t need Libby tomorrow.
And that’s the brilliance of this story.
Libby the Lunchbuddy isn’t about escaping fear—it’s about transforming it. It shows kids how their own imagination, creativity, and honesty can give them the tools they need to face challenges. Libby is a manifestation of inner strength, not a fantasy escape.
As a parent or guardian, this book is gold. It offers a gentle way to talk about anxiety and social fears. It invites your child to draw their own Libby, to name their worries, and to imagine their own path to courage.
So the next time your child feels the weight of a new beginning, hand them a box of crayons. Ask them what their llunch buddywould look like. Let them dream it up. And then, read this story together.