Annie Herzig, an illustrator, author, and alumna of Poudre School District, is proof that childhood dreams can come full circle. A former student of Bauder Elementary School, Blevins Junior High (before it became a middle school), and Rocky Mountain High School, Herzig worked as a designer and art director before returning to her passion for illustration and storytelling. Now, she inspires the next generation by visiting PSD classrooms to share her debut book, “Wonder & Awe.”
Returning to the same library where her love for storytelling began, as well as other schools in the district, Herzig hopes to encourage students to dream big—just as she did.
Q: What inspired you to become an author and an illustrator?
I wanted to make books from day one. When I was a little kid, I loved books, and I remember sitting in the library at Bauder watching Mr. Martin reading books. He was wonderful. He was a legit ventriloquist, and he would read books to us with the puppets. So, I remember sitting there, hearing those books being read to me and thinking, I want to do that. I want to make the pictures in those books. That stuck with me my whole life.
Q: How has PSD been part of your story?
I went to Bauder Elementary, then Blevins Junior High before it became a middle school, and then I went to Rocky Mountain. Also, my mom was a teacher at Bauder for many years. She taught fourth grade, then second grade, and eventually worked with advanced readers. Besides all the fantastic teachers that I had myself, I also have a huge appreciation for teachers because my mom was one... the best one. And I was constantly surrounded by her community of teachers.
Q: How did your experiences in school prepare you for stepping into a career as an author and illustrator?
My time in PSD prepared me to go off to Colorado State (University), and my art teachers, especially at Rocky, were huge in helping me to see and believe that I could be a working artist.
Missy Wolf and Rick Takahashi made a huge impact on me. Oddly enough, I almost majored in zoology because I also loved science, but then, at the last minute, I changed my major to art because I couldn't imagine not doing that every day. My degree was in fine art with a concentration in graphic design and illustration. I went on to work as a designer and art director, always continuing to draw and make art both as part of the job and on the side for myself. I turned to freelance at one point and when the pandemic hit, I lost all of my contracts for the year. I decided it was time to follow the dream of making picture books (one I was avoiding because I wanted it so badly). So, after learning all about the industry, I have now come full circle, back to that childhood moment of longing to make books. Now I am actually doing it!
Q: What is it like returning to read your book to students?
It's amazing. It's just been surreal because I worked towards this for so long. Especially reading at Bauder, my school, where this dream took shape so many years ago. And reading in other schools as well... PSD schools all seem to have a similar feel, so it's very heartwarming to be in these elementary school library spaces, where learning and dreaming happen every day.
