On a Mission to Promote Kindness, Austin-based Mental Health Advocate Andra Liemandt Debuts New Children’s Book

Andra Liemandt sincerely wants to know: “How do you feel today?” This simple question – prompting a meaningful conversation about emotions – is at the core of her work. 

Liemandt is the founder and CEO of The Kindness Campaign (TKC), a national nonprofit that helps individuals, schools, and organizations improve their emotional health through engaging tools and programming. Liemandt started the organization in 2015 after suffering the loss of a 12 year-old family friend who took her own life. In the wake of that tragedy, she was passionately compelled to make a difference in the lives of others. 

“Getting into the emotional health space was definitely something that was unexpected for me,” Liemandt shared regarding the start of TKC. “My hope is for children to feel like they are safe. They have a sense of belonging. They feel loved, and they feel like they are enough just as they are.”

The origin of Enoughie Buddy

Being “enough” was a theme she discussed with her own children at the time of the family’s loss. “When I started this, said Liemandt, “the thought was about taking something that was painful in my own life and doing something that could help my daughters and myself connect on a deeper level.” Andra Liemandt and her daughters imagined a companion named Enoughie Buddy who could help children feel less alone in their feelings. 

“Being that it was such a sad time for all of us, we started designing Enoughie Buddy. Enoughie is kind of different and blue and round. We started thinking about what would make him special, and that’s why he has these antennas that he can find his own emotions with. He was a way for us to talk, and he just started being a character to us. This was something that made them happy — this little stuffy,” shared Liemandt.

Since the creation of Enoughie Buddy a decade ago, Enoughie has touched the lives of thousands of children through outreach and elementary school presence, as well as partnerships with organizations like Boys & Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, PBS, National Charity League, and Just Keep Livin’: Camila Alves’ and Matthew McConaughey’s nonprofit, which has teamed up with The Kindness Campaign for several partnerships. 

Andra Liemandt’s debut children’s book 

Most recently, Enoughie Buddy is the star of Liemandt’s first children’s book which was released in October 2024. Enoughie Buddy Finds His Superpower tells the story of a child who is very different from everyone else. He is blue, with a round body and wiggly antennae and worries he’ll never fit in, until one day, he discovers his special superpower and helps children discover their own remarkable qualities, too.

Liemandt had the story in her mind for a long time, noting that she was presenting at an educators conference in Arlington, Texas when she found herself with a little extra time to speak, so she shared Enoughie’s story. The teachers and counselors asked if this was written down anywhere, and because it was not yet documented, she decided it was time to write this book. “This was a piece that I always wanted to do – for teachers to have this for story time,” said Liemandt. 

Fostering kindness and more connections

This new book furthers Andra Liemandt’s mission to reach more children, parents and caregivers in their quest to find ways to discuss mental health. 

“I think it’s very hard today,” Liemandt shares. “I think it’s even harder today with all the challenges we have had in recent years – the isolation and loneliness. I think there’s an acute mental health crisis happening among our young people. The suicide rate in ages 10 to 14 has more than doubled in the last decade. And for me, my goal is still the same. It’s for that one child. When I started this, the thought was about taking something that was painful in my own life and doing something that could help my daughters and myself connect on a deeper level. As individuals, we just want to connect. We’re built to connect.” 

As for and connecting with even more individuals, the book is a great tool for The Kindness Campaign to facilitate discussions about feelings on a larger scope. “Nationally, nearly 60,000 individuals at 112 schools will have it in their hands to celebrate World Kindness Day,” Leimandt emphasized.

Celebrating World Kindness Day in Austin

To celebrate World Kindness Day (November 13) as well as the book release, Andra Liemandt and the team at The Kindness Campaign will hold two special events for local Austin audiences:

BookPeople, November 13 at 6 p.m.
Celebrate kindness with a meet & greet with Enoughie Buddy, a reading of Enoughie Finds His Superpowers, plus the Kind Photo Booth and the magical Magic Mirror, RSVP for a free Kind Bracelet and Antenna Kit!

Joy Gift Shoppe, November 14 at 4 p.m.
Join The Kindness Campaign team for wine, cheese, and a toast to kindness, plus 20% of all sales will go to TKC, supporting emotional health for kids & families. Bring your friends, browse unique gifts, and make an impact. RSVP to attend.

Support the work of The Kindness Campaign

By normalizing discussions about feelings, TKC aims to create safer, more supportive environments for children. Of course, as a nonprofit organization, it takes a tremendous amount of volunteers and donors to sustain the mission. If you or your business would like to get involved, visit www.tkckindness.org to learn more.

RELATED: The Art of Kindness Community Day Celebrated Art, Music & Mindfulness