Renée Graef has illustrated over 90 books for children, including the “Kirsten” series in the American Girl collection and many of the historical paper dolls. She wrote and illustrated the essay, “Remembering the early days of American Girl” for the December, 2024 issue of Madison Magazine.
Renée was the creative director for the Little House program at Harper Collins for five years and illustrated many of the My First Little House books (Laura Ingalls Wilder), paper dolls, and spin-off items.
Renée has also illustrated classics such as “The Nutcracker” and “My Favorite Things”, as well as books for Mount Rushmore, Lidia Bastianich (of PBS’s Lidia’s Italy) and the Getty Museum in LA.
Ms. Graef’s accomplishments have been honored by the State of Wisconsin’s House of Representatives. Renée and her husband, Bruce, live at the former home of Wisconsin artists, Max and Ava Fernekes in Mineral Point.
Renée’s magical art studio is in an 1850’s schoolhouse is decorated in an one-room schoolhouse fashion. Her back storage room is inspired by traditional Scandinavian farmhouses, most notably, Carl Larsson’s home.
Renée shares her artwork and her life at Storybook Hill daily on social media:
www.Facebook.com/ReneeIllustration
www.Instagram.com/ReneeGraef