The 2026 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, held April 18–19 at the University of Southern California campus, featured Dr. Barbara ten Brink, who presented her children's title, Miss Claus and Her Pandas, at the MainSpring Books booth. This marked her second appearance at the festival, where she engaged with readers, educators, and parents through a book signing and author interview.
Part of the Miss Claus in Toy Land series, Miss Claus and Her Pandas explores recognizing individual strengths and creating inclusive environments. 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 throughout the book, emphasizing the importance of helping children identify problems, explore solutions, and understand that every individual brings value to a group.
Dr. ten Brink's broader body of work, which includes dozens of published titles spanning children's literature and educational subjects, continues to blend entertainment with practical life lessons. Her books aim to develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and self-confidence in young readers. The author praised the supportive literary community at the festival and reflected on the importance of connecting directly with readers through large-scale literary celebrations.
The festival, known for making literature accessible to all, provided a platform for MainSpring Books to showcase 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 or the author's website. An author interview is also available.
