★ In an age of material abundance, how can we teach the next generation to engage with the physical world in a healthy, empathetic, and sustainable way? This book has been shortlisted for the Korolenko Literary Prize!
★ “The Little Blue Dress” is a “breathing” book that uses a tender story to teach children to cherish their belongings, consume responsibly, repurpose old items, and understand that “extending the life of something” is more meaningful than simply “replacing it with something new.”
★ Through the emotional bond between a six-year-old girl and a special little blue dress, the book explores themes of appreciation, care, and creative renewal, showing how we can approach everything we own with love and creativity.
★ It is both a warm, magical fairy tale and a vivid lesson in practical life skills, enabling children—at an age when they naturally believe in magic and beauty—to effortlessly embrace a gentle yet steadfast life philosophy that will stay with them for a lifetime: to treat all things with reverence and to illuminate everyday life with love and creativity.

On her sixth birthday, Rosa received the gift of her dreams: a little blue dress with fluffy ruffles and a lace collar. The dress not only found a place in her wardrobe—it also found a home in her heart. In this magical wardrobe, the grumpy wool sweater, the mischievous tights, and the playful pink socks all whisper to one another, and the new little blue dress quickly becomes the most special presence of all.
Rosa cherishes the little blue dress in an extraordinary way: she no longer dawdles at the dinner table; during naptime, she always hangs the dress neatly on its hanger; and she even insists on wearing it when she rides her bicycle. Her heartfelt care elicits a wondrous response—the little blue dress can button itself up when the buttons won’t cooperate, nimbly dodge cherry juice that’s been spilled, and even transform into the costume of a snowflake fairy for performances at kindergarten. Yet gradually, the little blue dress begins to hear the sad stories of the other clothes in the wardrobe, realizing that not every item in Rosa’s closet is so fortunate: some are forgotten in a corner, some are tossed aside carelessly, and some are torn beyond repair… Until Rosa’s mother and grandmother, like fairies, use needles, fabric, and boundless creativity to breathe new life into old garments, giving them a second—and even a third—brilliant chapter in their existence.
This story is filled with sparkling magic, lively late-night whispers in the wardrobe, and a profoundly warm lesson: true appreciation does not mean locking away your treasures; instead, it means using creativity and deep love to make every day spent together shine. Open this book, step into Rosa’s magical wardrobe, and you’ll discover that caring for something can be so wonderfully magical and beautiful!

“Little Blue Dress” awakens children’s sensitivity and kindness toward the world around them through a gentle tale:
- A tender, non-didactic approach: Rather than preaching, the fairy-tale narrative allows children to naturally empathize and understand what “cherishing” really means.
- An imagination-stirring adventure: The secret conversations among the clothes in the wardrobe and the dress’s “magic” feed children’s romantic imagination that all things in the world are alive and full of wonder.
- Emotional education: The story helps children develop an emotional connection to objects, teaching them to care for things and to feel gratitude.
- A critique of overconsumption: Through the conversations between the clothes, the story subtly suggests that carelessly discarding items can “hurt” them, encouraging children to think about where things come from and what they’re worth.
- Cultivating a sense of responsibility: Rosa’s actions show how to take loving care of cherished possessions—and extend that care to a broader respect for everything around us.
- Creativity and environmental awareness: The plot involving the transformation of old items inspires children to get creative with their own hands and understand that “extending the life of something” is more meaningful than simply replacing it with something new.

[Author] Maya Bessonova
Maya Bessonova graduated from Novosibirsk State University with two specialized degrees. Her first major is in history and Oriental studies, which has given her a broad perspective and proficiency in Japanese; her second major is in linguistics, instilling in her a deep reverence for language and a keen ability to uncover hidden meanings between the lines.
Maya Bessonova has always been surrounded by children, whether at school or at home. She believes that she understands children better than adults do, and that she can sense children’s emotions more deeply than adults can. In her eyes, children are joyful, honest, and sincere, yet they often need help more than adults do—and rarely speak up to express their needs. For this reason, she firmly believes that books should be readers’ friends, helpers, and engaging conversational partners: inspiring, hopeful, and guiding in times of difficulty. It is precisely such works—inspiring and warmly empowering—that she strives to create.
Her book “The Little Blue Dress” features illustrations by Daria Beklemesheva. In 2024, the book was shortlisted for the Korolenko Literary Prize in the category of “Best Prose Work for Children Under 7.”

[Illustrator] Daria Beklemesheva
Daria Beklemesheva graduated from the Department of Fine Arts and Graphic Design at Kuban State University. After graduation, she gained considerable professional experience in the field of design. She believes that children should be nurtured to develop a sense of beauty, and that their surroundings should include beautiful, high-quality objects—including books. Accordingly, in her illustration work, she places great emphasis on conveying aesthetic appeal, creating an artistically rich reading experience for children. Daria excels in using natural materials and employs collage techniques in her creations; she is also deeply fond of watercolor painting. Through these diverse artistic approaches, she imbues her works with a distinctive visual charm. She has undertaken projects for international clients, which have included not only book illustrations but also packaging illustrations and logo designs. She has created illustrations for the “Fun Learning Lessons on Reptiles” series, including titles such as “Ten Incredible Lizards,” “Ten Incredible Turtles,” and “Ten Incredible Snakes.” She has also illustrated Victoria Toponogova’s fairy-tale collection “Gurgle, Meow, and the Artist’s Cave,” Maya Bessonova’s “The Little Blue Dress,” Zuli Stadnik’s “Mom in My Pocket,” and the board-book series for young children, “Little Talents.” In 2023, she was nominated for the “Book Image” Award in the non-fiction category for her illustrations in the book “Ten Incredible Snakes.” Daria is also passionate about swimming and cycling, activities that help her stay energized and balance her largely sedentary work style.