LOS ANGELES, CA — Dr. Barbara ten Brink, author of the Miss Claus in Toy Land series, made her second appearance at the LA Times Festival of Books on April 18–19, 2026, at the University of Southern California campus. Hosted by MainSpring Books, the event featured a book signing and author interview for her title 'Miss Claus and Her Pandas,' which explores the importance of recognizing individual strengths and creating environments where everyone can contribute.
The festival, one of the nation's largest literary events, attracts diverse voices and stories that inspire curiosity and lifelong learning. Dr. ten Brink's return underscores the festival's mission to make literature accessible while highlighting children's books that blend entertainment with meaningful lessons. 'Miss Claus and Her Pandas' encourages children to embrace differences, work together, and develop confidence in their unique abilities, according to the author.
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.
With dozens of published titles spanning children's literature and educational subjects, Dr. ten Brink 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. The author praised the supportive literary community at the festival and reflected on the importance of connecting directly with readers through large-scale celebrations.
MainSpring Books, a publishing and marketing company dedicated to helping authors share their stories, showcased Dr. ten Brink and other authors whose works encourage learning, imagination, and meaningful human connection. The company provides publishing, promotion, media opportunities, and literary event participation to its authors.
For more information about Dr. ten Brink and her books, visit her author website. 'Miss Claus and Her Pandas' is available on Amazon. An author interview is also available on YouTube.
