The book is a collection of witty quotes, wise reflections and conversations from little ballerinas that Tanja Pečenko, a young ballet teacher, has been gathering and writing down for years.
Charming and poetically illustrated by Zorana Živić, it can be read as a daily pick‑me‑up cover to cover, or dipped into at random on a tough day for an instant smile.
In a playful way the book dissolves the stiff, serious stereotype of ballet dancers and replaces it with something fresh, lively and mischievous.
(adapted from Malabaletka.si)
Illustrating the book Male baletke in njihove cvetke brought together some of life’s purest joys—children, music, dance and flowers—in the sweetest way. The content speaks to me deeply and I am genuinely delighted to have been part of it.
The visual narrative starts with the familiar stereotype of fragile, dreamy ballerinas and lets it gently fade. Children tell the truth; they mirror us and through their dreams bring us back to what is real.
I gave the figures ample white space so they could move and unfurl across the page without constraint, with only the occasional flower to greet them. I couldn’t resist weaving in details of childhood joy, playfulness and inventiveness. The palette stays mostly gentle, unobtrusive and soft.
