Dr. Barbara ten Brink presented her children's title, Miss Claus and Her Pandas, at the 2026 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on April 18–19 at the University of Southern California campus. The event marked her second appearance with MainSpring Books at the festival, which is one of the nation's most celebrated literary events, bringing together diverse voices to inspire curiosity and lifelong learning.
Part of the beloved Miss Claus in Toy Land series, 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 throughout the book, emphasizing how the story helps children identify problems, explore solutions, and understand that every individual brings value to a group.
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.
Dr. ten Brink's participation highlighted the enduring power of children's literature to inspire future generations both inside and outside the classroom. MainSpring Books proudly showcased authors whose works encourage learning, imagination, and meaningful human connection. Readers can find Miss Claus and Her Pandas on Amazon, and more about the author on her website. An author interview is also available online.
