Why Elle Spoke Up is a powerful and accessible children’s book for young readers, parents, and educators. Written by advocate Lili Greer, who draws on her lived experience of domestic and family violence, this tender and courageous story gently shows children what love should feel like and what to do when it does not.

With warm, vibrant illustrations, this story opens up vital conversations about safety, bravery, and emotional wellbeing. It helps children recognise safe relationships and reassures them that they can speak up and be heard.

Why Elle Spoke Up is part of a wider movement for safety, resilience, and hope. It recognises children experiencing domestic and family violence as victims in their own right and deserving of support.

Lili Greer is a passionate advocate driven by her lived experiences as a child facing domestic and family violence. Through storytelling, she aims to educate and empower young readers. Why Elle Spoke Up is her debut children's book, designed to help children understand the importance of speaking up and recognising healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Through Elle's journey, Lili seeks to equip children with the confidence to share their experiences, especially when they feel unsafe. She believes every child deserves to feel safe and heard. Through her book, Lili hopes to spark meaningful conversations about love and empowerment, giving children the tools and confidence to speak up.

Elaine Wang's complex and often challenging upbringing shaped her path, leading her to art as a means of self-expression and connection in a world that sometimes felt difficult to navigate. This journey culminated in her first exhibition at Hunter Valley Gardens and recognition in art competitions throughout NSW. Now an urban designer in Sydney with a background in architecture, Elaine draws upon her foundation of independence and resilience to craft spaces that inspire warmth, connection, and community.

As a practising artist, she remains drawn to projects like Why Elle Spoke Up, where she creates lighthearted illustrations to share with friends, family, and others who find joy in simple, colourful expression. At the heart of her journey is a commitment to building a life rooted in enduring family and community bonds, where her art and design can truly flourish together.

Maricarmen Rubí Baeza is a Creative Director with qualifications in Art Direction, Creativity, and Design, and after 15 years in the advertising industry, co-founded Play Lunch in 2024. 

Having worked with notable clients, from high-end retail to major telecommunications — in her native Mexico as well as Australia — she gained an acute understanding of the power of visual communication. She pays exceptional attention to detail and makes everything look beautiful. Always.

Maricarmen's very proud to have held the position (volunteer) of Creative Director for The Missed Foundation for almost 10 years, with an unmatched grasp on the challenges of visually conveying the impact of the cause of missing persons, and the importance of awareness for this profound social issue.