Contributing author Barbara Espinosa Occhino’s hilarious true story, “The Favor,” is published in the newest Chicken Soup for the Soul “I Can’t Stop Laughing” book, available at retail and online stores on April 28, 2026. The public is invited to a reading and book signing at Danbury’s independent bookstore, The BookSmiths Shoppe (100 Reserve Road), on Saturday, May 16th, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Guests can access free parking on the lower main level via the visitors' entrance.
Barbara will read heartwarming and inspiring stories from five Chicken Soup for the Soul books. “My latest comedic tale (“The Favor”) recounts the day my secret identity was revealed to one million people when I teamed up with a magician and a Gospel choir,” she says. Barbara loves writing non-fiction stories that are uplifting and entertaining. An award-winning copywriter, she has been published in magazines and other media and conducted book signings for Barnes & Noble and charities. Barbara has been a featured author at live storytelling events in Manhattan and has been interviewed on the radio and in online segments. She conducts author talks and writing workshops, teaches college youth courses, is a volunteer student mentor, enjoys singing for children and the elderly, and dancing. Barbara lives in Stamford, Connecticut, where she co-owns a marketing agency with her husband. She treasures time with her family, including two daughters and four grandchildren. Visit BarbaraEntertains.com/author.
The BookSmiths Shoppe, located at The Summit at Danbury, is a woman-owned independent bookstore that opened in 2023 and has become a popular literary hub. The Shoppe (BooksmithsShoppe.com) offers thoughtfully curated new and gently used books, audiobooks, along with gifts, toys, and book-themed merchandise. Known as the “cozy, corner bookstore,” it has earned a reputation for its strong commitment to community engagement, sustainability, and support for local authors, small businesses, and charities.
Distributed by Simon & Schuster, the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series has published over 300 titles, with several reaching #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and has sold more than 500 million copies worldwide, with translations into over 40 languages. The brand promotes values of hope, positivity, resilience, and shared human experience. Editor-in-Chief Amy Newmark leads a socially conscious company that has expanded beyond books into a podcast, educational initiatives, pet food, licensed products, and film and television through Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. More at ChickenSoup.com.
Event Venue
The BookSmiths Shoppe, The Summit - Street Level, 100 Reserve Rd, Danbury, CT 06810, United States
