Renée Graef has illustrated more than 90 children’s books, including the beloved Kirsten series in the American Girl collection, as well as many of the historical paper dolls. She also contributed to The Making of American Girl book, created in celebration of the company’s 40th anniversary.
For five years, Renée served as Creative Director for the Little House program at HarperCollins, where she illustrated numerous My First Little House books by
Laura Ingalls Wilder, along with paper dolls and related spin-off items.
Her illustration work also includes 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 Eataly restaurants), and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Renée’s work has won many awards and her accomplishments have been honored by the Wisconsin State House of Representatives.
Her art studio, an 1850s one-room schoolhouse, is decorated in period style with globes, old toys and other curiosities. Step into a living storybook and view her original art and sketches up close.
Renée will be debuting her whimsical picture book “The ABCs of Wisconsin Cheese” by the amazing Susan Apps-Bodilly. Published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press.