Launch
Polka Dot Joan Limited Edition Launch
Our debut limited edition print run of Polka Dot Joan was launched at the Her Place Women's Museum by Sheena Watt MP and Australia's Gender Equality Ambassador, The Hon Michelle O'Byrne.
Our story
Books that see women and girls as they truly are
little shero stories was born from a simple belief: every girl deserves to see themselves as the shero of their own story.
A book imprint of
Gender Lens AustraliaWhere it all began
Little Shero Stories is a children's book imprint of Gender Lens Australia, a social impact organisation dedicated to advancing gender equality through service, training, events....and now storytelling.
Too many bookshelves are filled with tales of girls forced to wait and watch on the sidelines.. We wanted something different — books where women and girls lead, explore, fail, try again and triumph on their own terms.
Why Shero Stories?
Representation matters
Children who see themselves in stories grow up believing they belong everywhere.
Joy is political
We make books children actually want to read — because delight is how change takes root.
Community over competition
We champion other women-led publishers, illustrators, and educators.
Quality without compromise
Beautiful design, rich language, and meaningful stories — every single time.
Our parent organisation
Gender Lens Australia
Gender Lens Australia is a social impact consultancy co-founded by Tanja Kovac and Dr Maree Overall, rofessional gender equity change experts ,who have helped hundreds of organisations across the private, public and community sectors transform for equality.
Their work spans organisational gender audits, tailored gender equality action plans, executive coaching, advocacy & communications support, with practical, affordable solutions designed to close the gender gap for good.
Every purchase supports GLA's broader mission: a world where girls grow up knowing their stories matter.
We partner with educators, librarians, and parents to get these books into the hands of children who need them most.
GLA's charitable giving is woven into its calendar. Each year the team hosts Feministmas during the 16 Days of Activism, directing donations to frontline organisations working to end gender-based violence. Every book sold through little shero stories supports this broader mission.
Research-backed
GLA advises government, business and community on closing the gender gap.
Community-driven
GLA runs training events and workshops supporting gender equality advocates and leaders with the tools to maintain momentum for change.
Mission-aligned
GLA's #GenderBudgetWatch tracks annual government investment in women, gender equality and violence prevention across Australia. GLA also conducts and commissions research into the impact of gender equality on democracy.
Proudly Australian
GLA's annual Feministmas Celebration and Giving Tree supports frontline and feminist organisations working to end gender-based violence.
Meet the team
The women behind the stories
Tanja Kovac
Tanja is a feminist author, gender equity advocate and Co-CEO of Gender Lens Australia, whose writing brings bold, joyful heroines to life.
Laura Morellon
Laura is an artist and designer whose sweet and sassy style brings each shero to life on the page.
Dr Maree Overall
Maree is a researcher and advocate whose expertise in gender equity ensures every little shero story is changing attitudes and behaviours.
Latest News
Updates from Little Shero Stories and Gender Lens Australia
Community
Ron Kirner endorses PDJ
We were thrilled to have Ron Kirner, JK's husband, endorse Polka Dot Joan at a special celebration at Joan Kirner House in Williamstown. We were joined by Minister Melissa Horne MP, the local member in Joan's old seat.