Extraordinary grace in ordinary lives: Why families will love ‘The Belles of Lake Leelanau’ – Exclusive Zeale Lifestyle review

So many Catholic children’s stories transport us to faraway lands and historic sites. While those tales are undeniably beautiful, there is something deeply refreshing about finding sacred, old-world simplicity right here in the American heartland. Author Ann Mulligan’s charming new picture book, The Belles of Lake Leelanau, does exactly that, painting a profound, true story of faith on the scenic banks of a Michigan Lake.

My first reading of this book moved me to tears. My toddlers were completely enthralled by the narrative while the deeper themes spoke directly to my heart. It is an unsuspectingly simple, yet beautiful, testament to the power of prayer, human resilience, and maternal love. Enhanced by artist Dave Messing’s delightful watercolor illustrations, this story is a wonderful addition for any family library or bedtime story rotation, especially as an American Catholic. 

The extraordinary in the everyday

The book follows the story of a peaceful Michigan village where the local church bells anchor the community, ringing out for the daily Angelus and marking the sacred thresholds of life: births, weddings, and deaths. When a pair of twins is born, the community rejoices, but a crisis soon unfolds. One of the twins, baby Irene, is born with a medical condition that prevents her from being able to swallow.

Placed under the care of her wise and fiercely faithful Grandma Belle, little Irene’s fight for survival becomes a journey of persistent prayer and everyday actions. The heroes of this story aren’t grand historical figures, but rather the unsung, ordinary protectors of daily life like the story’s devoted grandmother and “cow named Gladys with the freshest milk in town.” It offers children a beautiful lesson that is all too rare today: Every single person you encounter has a unique, God-given story.

To peer behind the curtain of this humble masterpiece, Zeale interviewed author Ann Mulligan to discuss how this tender history made its way from a Michigan living room onto the page.

An interview with author Ann Mulligan

For Mulligan, the book’s origin was a beautiful surprise born out of decades of friendship with the real-life Irene. 

“As a young woman I was part of a vibrant Catholic prayer group in Dearborn, Michigan … a few years ago Irene gave a talk about her childhood and upbringing,” Mulligan shared. “As she spoke, I was so caught up in the story and could see pictures in my mind. I decided it would make a beautiful children’s book. With Irene’s permission and the encouragement of the ladies in the group, I began writing.”

As a grandmother and Catholic educator, Mulligan noticed that there are many books on the canonized saints but very few for children about everyday people.

“Indeed there are saints in the making all around us,” she explained. “There are many people among us that are living great lives of faith in small ways, and we can learn from each other.”

Suffering and the power of community

One of the most remarkable achievements of The Belles of Lake Leelanau is how gently it handles the heavy reality of childhood illness without losing its comforting warmth. 

“In every life there is suffering,” Mulligan noted. “It is important for people to understand this, including children. I tried to explain Irene’s situation in a simple and non-graphic way so as to not overwhelm them. I also wanted to emphasize that praying is such an important thing to do in a crisis situation. I love Grandma Belle’s persistence in prayer and faithfulness in doing the part she felt called to do.”

Ultimately, the book evokes a beautiful sense of community connection that Mulligan hopes modern families will seek out in their own neighborhoods. 

“While on retreat, as Irene told her story, I could sense a type of longing which we were all feeling, for the kind of place where Irene grew up,” she explained. “The beauty of her community is that they didn’t seem to have fancy programs in place, just bells ringing at noon for the Angelus, a daily Rosary, and a sense of connection with neighbors united in faith.”

A timeless bedtime companion

The Belles of Lake Leelanau reminds us that our communities, our families, and our homes are the primary places where holiness grows. It challenges parents to slow down, look at the ordinary world around them, and see the hand of the Creator at work.

As Mulligan beautifully concludes: “My hope through the telling of Irene’s story is that readers can be assured of how precious their life is — each one with its own mission and unique reflection of God in the world. No story is too ordinary because every life is an extraordinary masterpiece — each one created out of the imagination and heart of God. Life is full of surprises, and sometimes He may even throw into our story, a loving grandmother and a cow, to show His great love!”