UW–Madison alumna Renée Graef, an accomplished children’s book illustrator and graduate of the School of Education’s Art Department, recently shared a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of American Girl in Madison Magazine.

In the feature, which she both wrote and illustrated, Graef recounts how she first connected with Pleasant Rowland, the company’s founder. She also reflects on the contributions of illustrators, editors, product designers, and others in shaping the brand’s iconic historical characters — including Kirsten, Samantha, and Molly.

“The office hummed with creative energy, each detail stitched into the grand tapestry of Pleasant Rowland’s vision,” she says, writing about the company’s first years.

Graef’s journey with American Girl began with designing presentation boards and painting spot illustrations that helped bring Rowland’s vision to life. She later was the main illustrator for the first three Kirsten books, launching a career that has since spanned more than 90 children’s books.

“For nearly 40 years, American Girl has woven its close-knit legacy with Madison, and later, Middleton,” writes Graef. In homage to this legacy, Graef designed a new “Meet Madison” illustration exclusively for Madison Magazine, inspired by Myland McRevey’s iconic book covers for The American Girls Collection.

Graef describes her vision for the piece, which she calls a gift to Rowland: