A heartwarming true story of faith, family, and perseverance set in early 1900s Michigan. Customers praised the "touching story" and "beautiful illustrations" that blend Catholic values seamlessly into daily life. Many noted it's engaging for various ages, though one mentioned it was "a little slow" for a 3-year-old. Readers loved the warm narrative voice and authentic glimpse into Catholic community life.
I grew up hearing the story of the cow who saved my grandmother's life, and Ann Mulligan's retelling of this family tale is wonderful! My grandmother, Irene, whom this story is about, is the most amazing person I know, and it is my life's goal to be like her. I will cherish this book forever. It is a reminder of how faithful God has been to our family - a family that would not be if not for great grandma Isabelle and the cow whose milk she fed to my grandma. Praise God for all of his blessings, especially for the blessing of being among the many descendants of Isabelle, Cecelia, and Irene! I can't wait for Ann's next book!
Beautiful artwork and heartwarming story. My 5 year old granddaughter wanted me to read it to her every night during her weeklong visit with us. She loved the prayers of “wise Grandma Belle”!
This book made me want to move to a Catholic run community so badly! I will use this book as a backbone for teaching my children the angelus prayer and the power of family prayer. My daughter even asked for it as her bedtime story last night!
This vintage style picture book is set in the USA and reflects on the life story of a woman and her miraculous start to life. Set in a rural Catholic community in Michigan where the noontime bells ring for the Agnelus and nurtured by the prayer of her devout family, little baby Irene surmounts all odds.
I love Holy Heroes (family owned, and they just happen to publish my book, Raising Chaste Catholic Men!), and I just got a copy of this sweet little children's book, a true story of almost 100 years ago in Michigan! If you have children or grandchildren, it's a lovely and near-miraculous story--and it has the type of illustrations that I absolutely love. (I really do not like the current AI look, or anything too cartoony).
I asked my 14 year old son to read and review this book. He loved it! Being from Michigan, we were intrigued about a story happening from here.
The Belles of Leelenau is a true story about Irene, a newborn unable to swallow. The book tells how Irene was brought back to health. Wholesome and sweet, this is suitable for all ages. The artwork is very nice, too.
What a sweet, sweet story! I enjoyed hearing about the bells in Lake Leelanau, the potato fight, the wise and prayerful grandmother… and I loved that the ending reminds us that we each have a story to tell. Beautiful lessons for my children!
This is a nice informative book. I will share with grand children.
A beautiful story. I will be purchasing more books for Christmas gifts.
What a touching story! Sometimes places of miracles seem so far from us or our time period or our place in the world. But this story makes it so easy for children to see God’s grace at work right where we are! I especially loved the way it is written- it’s got a warm comfortable voice, that almost makes the child feel the author is right there with them. I am glad stories like this exist!
What a touching story of faithfulness and devotion - to family, Christ, and the faith - and of the beautiful plans of God for us (however humble they might seem from the outside). The story seemed a little slow for my 3-year-old (who nevertheless had s good bit to say about cows and babies), but older children were much more engaged. The illustrations resemble good children’s art of the past, a balm to look at.
It’s wonderful to get a glimpse of authentic, thoroughly Catholic life not so far from where we live, not so very long ago. It is lovely in itself, and gives hope as we try to live out all we can, here and now.
This is a beautiful story about a family from our home state of Michigan who naturally turn to their Catholic faith when faced with baby Irene's serious health issue. It also illustrates powerfully that responding to dramatic problems with faith often involves a mix of not only prayer and trust but also heroic action. May we be inspired to face our own daily challenges with the love, perseverance, and trust in God's providential care shown by Grandma Belle.
This story about my mom has been told to me in the past, but I didn't remember all the details. Ann Mulligan did a wonderful job sharing the details of her story. We are truly grateful for that cow that saved my mom's life. I would recommend this book to children and adults as well.
This is the amazingly true story of my husband's grandma, the best 'Grandma Great' Irene! We love her to pieces and have heard this story many times, but seeing it so beautifully illustrated really added a new level of love for her story. If it hasn't been for Gladys the cow, and her own amazing grandmother, my family wouldn't have been able to be here. We are so thankful that we have this story to share with our family over and over again.
Ann has written a delightful story based on faith and family values. It reminds us of the joys and simple pleases of playing outside in nature and the sun.
This tale will enlighten young children about a simpler and more cohesive, community based way of life.
What a beautful story that shows how our Blessed Mother intervenes for us. I cannot wait to read this inspiring story to my grandchild. The illustrations are lovely. I also enjoyed the update at the end with the picture.
I met Irene Bruen as a teen and have looked up to her ever since. Without this miracle and her consistent lifestyle to serve God, I would not have my family today. Now with her story printed, my children and their children (and so on) will continue to learn what dedication to our Lord and service to others can bring to us.
Thank you to my dear friend Ann Mulligan for writing this beautiful true story about my mother, Irene. This is a story about the power of prayer, and God giving Grandma Isabelle strength and courage. Please spread the word about this beautiful book — the world needs it!
Beautiful story of family and faith. I love that it is a true story, and I love all the pictures, including the actual pictures of Irene and Gladys.
I enjoyed this sweet, true story celebrating the power of faith and family and the wisdom of elders. Beautiful illustrations as well.
I so much loved this story! Love, Home, Family and Faith.
The integration of all is woven through this true story.
Touching heart and soul!
Very cute. Being a Michigander, I loved it.
Such a wonderful true story on the history of Lake Leelanau.
The illustrations beautifully matched the story, re-inforcing the peaceful message. If you have not read this book yet, I highly recommend it.
The Belles of Lake Leelanau is a beautiful children's story that, on one hand, gives a glance of American life in Michigan at the beginning of the 1900's. It also gives the reader a taste of what Catholic culture was like when people lived in small towns and lived their faith publicly and boldy. For example, we find out that the potato farmers in the region would kneel at noon when the local church bells would ring and pray the Angelus in the fields. Families would pray the rosary together every night. These are lessons we can learn from today - to live faith in a natural way within our own families. It also shows the blessing of extended family networks and large families, appreciating the wisdom of grandmothers, and taking care of fragile babies and the elderly. Wonderful book!
5 Stars for sure! Or an infinity of stars if that were a choice.
Ann Mulligan is a wonderful author with great insight into the lives
of folks that are all treasures. The view into the history of Irene Bruen and her beginnings touched my heart. Their faith continues.
Sometimes we wish away our circumstances in search of a grand miracle, but God often moves in our ordinary moments and reality as is given to each of us. That's exactly what happens in The Belles of Lake Leelanau. It's an invitation to trust, to persevere and to believe that God can make a way when it seems that there is no way.
I give this book a 10/10- Fiona, age 9
My 9 year old daughter and I enjoyed it very much!