Dr. Barbara ten Brink, author of the Miss Claus in Toy Land series, made her second appearance at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on April 18–19, 2026, at the University of Southern California campus. Presented by MainSpring Books, she participated in a book signing and interview to promote her latest title, Miss Claus and Her Pandas. The festival, one of the nation's most celebrated literary events, brought together diverse voices to inspire curiosity and lifelong learning.
Miss Claus and Her Pandas explores the importance of recognizing individual strengths and creating environments where everyone can contribute. Through engaging characters, the story encourages children to embrace differences, work together, and build confidence in their unique abilities. During her interview, Dr. ten Brink discussed the educational themes woven into the book, emphasizing the value 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.
Dr. ten Brink, with dozens of published titles spanning children's literature and educational subjects, continues to create stories that blend entertainment with practical life lessons. Her work aims to help young readers develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and self-confidence. She praised the supportive literary community at the festival and reflected on the importance of connecting directly with readers through large-scale literary celebrations.
MainSpring Books, a publishing and marketing company dedicated to helping authors share their stories, 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 more information about Miss Claus and Her Pandas, visit the Amazon page. Additional details about the author and her work can be found on her author website, and an interview is available on YouTube.
