Dr. Barbara ten Brink, author of the children's title Miss Claus and Her Pandas, participated in the 2026 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, held April 18-19 at the University of Southern California campus. The event, one of the nation's most celebrated literary festivals, brought together diverse voices and stories that inspire curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning. Dr. ten Brink's appearance at the MainSpring Books booth marked her second at the festival, where she engaged in a book signing and author interview.
Miss Claus and Her Pandas is part of the Miss Claus in Toy Land series and explores the importance of recognizing individual strengths and creating environments where everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Through engaging characters and relatable challenges, the story encourages children to embrace differences, work together, and develop confidence in their unique abilities. During her interview, Dr. ten Brink discussed the educational themes woven throughout the book, emphasizing the importance of helping children identify problems, explore solutions, and understand that every individual brings value to a group. The discussion resonated with parents and educators seeking stories that reinforce positive social and emotional development while keeping young readers engaged.
Festival attendees also learned about the broader vision behind Dr. ten Brink's extensive body of work. With dozens of published titles spanning children's literature and educational subjects, she continues to create stories that blend entertainment with practical life lessons, helping young readers develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and self-confidence. The author praised the supportive literary community fostered at the event and reflected on the importance of connecting directly with readers through large-scale literary celebrations.
MainSpring Books, the publisher, proudly showcased authors whose works encourage learning, imagination, and meaningful human connection. Dr. ten Brink's participation highlighted the enduring power of children's literature to inspire future generations both inside and outside the classroom. For those interested in the book, it is available on Amazon. More information about the author can be found on her website, and an author interview is available on YouTube.
MainSpring Books is a publishing and marketing company dedicated to helping authors share their stories with readers worldwide through publishing, promotion, media opportunities, and literary event participation.
