Science educator Dr. Barbara ten Brink will join MainSpring Books as a special featured guest at Frankfurt Book Fair 2026, scheduled for October 7–11 at Messe Frankfurt. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the author during a book signing at the MainSpring Books booth, Halle 4.2, M20, on the morning of October 10. The signing offers readers, fellow authors, literary professionals, and other fairgoers a personal way to engage with Dr. ten Brink and her work while celebrating the shared experience of books and storytelling at one of the world's largest publishing events.
Set at the North Pole, Miss Claus and Her Pandas returns to the world introduced in Miss Claus and Her Bunnies. In this second Christmas title in the Miss Claus in Toy Land series, the Magical Bunnies ask that their contributions to Santa's annual preparations be recognized, while Pandas arrive as ambassadors from China and are welcomed into the North Pole community. Through Miss Elizabeth Claus, Santa, the Bunnies, and the Pandas, the story gives young readers an accessible way to consider recognition, cooperation, listening, and the different strengths individuals bring to a shared task.
Dr. ten Brink brings a substantial background in education to her writing. She holds a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Texas at Austin, an M.S. in Biology from Southwest Texas State University, and a B.S. in Elementary Education from Texas Tech University. Her professional experience includes science teaching, university instruction, and science education administration. Her published work spans children's literature, young-adult books, poetry, short stories, and other educationally informed writing.
Her featured appearance at Frankfurt will introduce international readers to Miss Claus and Her Pandas and will include a special recorded author interview centered on the story, her educational perspective, and the value of bringing readers together across cultures. Readers who cannot meet the author in Frankfurt can continue exploring her work through her online author platform, which brings together her biography, book catalog, interviews, videos, and links to additional titles. Miss Claus and Her Pandas is also available through Amazon, giving families, educators, reviewers, and readers another way to discover the book before or after the fair.
The announcement matters for several reasons. Frankfurt Book Fair is a major global marketplace for rights, translations, and cross-cultural exchange, so a featured appearance there can significantly raise an author's international profile and open doors for translated editions and broader distribution. For educators and parents, the book's themes of recognition, cooperation, and listening align with social-emotional learning goals and offer a gentle entry point for conversations about cultural exchange, given the Pandas' role as ambassadors from China. For independent publishers and authors, MainSpring Books' participation illustrates how a publishing and marketing company can help creators share their stories worldwide through professional publishing, marketing, media exposure, and literary events. As children's literature continues to seek stories that reflect a globalized world, titles like Miss Claus and Her Pandas demonstrate how holiday traditions can be reimagined to model inclusion and teamwork. The fair runs October 7–11, with the signing on October 10, providing a specific opportunity for industry professionals and readers to connect with the author and her work.
