The fonds consists of textual records and artwork created by Ann Blades during the course of her career as an author and illustrator of Canadian children’s literature. The records date from circa 1967 to 2013, with particular concentration during the years immediately prior to the publication of Blades’ works. The fonds is especially strong in areas related to book production and sales, including, contracts, royalty reports, correspondence with publishers, literary agents and designers, layout materials, manuscripts, sketches, drawings and paintings. In addition, the creator has gathered a number of clippings and reviews which document the critical reception of her work.

The fonds is divided into 31 series. 26 of these series, the majority of the materials in the fonds, have been arranged by the creator according to book title (including both published and unpublished works) and therein according to textual records and artwork. This arrangement has been maintained by the processor with each title constituting a separate series. The remaining five series discuss Blades' personal activities, and her professional activities which were not related to a single book.

Book series include:
“Seasons,” Board Books - Production and Reviews (1986-1998),
<i>A Boy of Tache</i> - Reviews (1973-1977),
<i>A Candle for Christmas</i> - Production and Reviews (1982-2001),
<i>A Dog Came, Too</i> - Production, Reviews and Publicity (1989-2001, predominant 1989-1993),
<i>A Ride for Martha</i> - Production (1992-2001),
<i>A Salmon for Simon</i> - Production, Reviews and Awards (1978-1997),
<i>Adolph</i> - Production (1976?-1978),
<i>Anna’s Pet</i> - Production and Reviews (197?-1982),
<i>Anna’s Pet/Six Darn Cows</i> - Materials (1978-2006),
<i>Back to the Cabin</i> - Production, Reviews and Publicity (1993?-1999),
<i>By the Sea: An Alphabet Book</i> - Production, Publication, and Reviews (198-?-1994),
<i>Canadian Books for Children</i> - Production and Publication (1987-1988),
<i>Fowlini</i> - Production ([1971]-1978),
<i>Ida and the Wool Smugglers</i> - Production, Reviews and Publicity (1986-2001),
<i>Jacques the Woodcutter</i> - Production, Reviews and Materials (197?-1981),
<i>Mary of Mile 18</i> - Production, Reviews, Film (1971-2012),
<i>Mile 18 Summer Book</i> - Production (1970),
<i>Mother Goose: A Canadian Sampler</i> - Production and Publication (1992-1994),
<i>Pettranella</i> - Production and Reviews (1978-1994),
<i>Pond Seasons</i> - Production and Reviews (1994-2001),
<i>Six Darn Cows</i> - Production and Reviews (197?-1986),
<i>The Cottage at Crescent Beach</i> - Production, Reviews and Publicity (1974-1988, 2001),
<i>The Singing Basket</i> - Production, Reviews and Materials (1976, 1988-2004),
<i>Too Small</i> - Production and Reviews (1999-2001),
<i>Willemina's Christmas</i> - Production (1977-1982),
and <i>Wolf and the Seven Little Kids</i> - Production and Reviews (1998-1999).

General series include:
General Financial Materials (1981-2013), General Publicity Materials (1974-2004), Personal Materials (1967-2000), Presentations, Exhibitions, and Conferences (1975-2005), and Professional Correspondence (1970-2013).

The 2002, 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2014 accruals also included copies of Blades’ published works. All printed materials have been integrated with the library collections and are searchable via the UBC catalogue.

Since at least 2006, the creator has for many files left annotations or descriptions, which have been kept with the records. The 2011 accrual was well-organized and carefully labelled by Blades before it was officially gifted to the University of British Columbia in 2011. As a result, all file names are based upon the titles devised by the creator. Within each file, Blades grouped related materials and indicated the subject of the grouping with a labelled paper wrapper which she folded around a collection of documents. These paper wrappers have been preserved. File contents have been retained in their original order.

Series contains materials related to Blades' artwork showcased at and sold through the Bau Xi Art Gallery in Vancouver. Textual records include correspondence, statements, invitations, and sales information. Graphic records include mainly include rough and final drawings, completed and uncompleted paintings of Blade's artwork, as well as photographic slides and negatives of the finished products.

This series contains Blades' general financial papers, including royalties statements and Public Lending Right statements. Public Lending Right is a Canadian national program which compensates authors whose work is freely available in public libraries. These papers pertain to multiple books at once; some financial materials relating to only one book may be found in the series for that book.

This series consists of materials related to the creation and attempted publication of Adolph, including letters to publishers, draft and final copies of the manuscript, and draft and final illustrations.

This series contains materials related to the production and attempted publication of Fowlini, including letters to various publishers, draft and final copies of the manuscript, and draft and final copies of the illustrations.

This series consists of a photographic scrapbook containing photos of Blades giving presentations to school and library groups, general headshots, Blades attending various literary events, and a variety of newspaper clippings.

This series contains reviews of A Boy of Tache.

This series consists of materials related to the production and publication of By the Sea: An Alphabet Book, including correspondence, draft illustrations, and information regarding the sale of the original materials. In 1986 Blades received the Elizabeth Mrazik Cleaver Canadian picture book award for By the Sea for the "best illustrated Canadian picture book in 1985." The manuscript and illustrations were sold to the National Library (now Library and Archives Canada) in Ottawa in 1987, but photocopies of these materials are included.

Series contains a contract, sketches, drawings, paintings, research materials, correspondence, notes, galley proofs, reviews and clippings, which document the production and critical reception of the book, <i>Wolf and the Seven Little Kids</i>. Some oversized materials are housed in a separate container; please see the file list for further detail.

This series consists of materials relating to Blades' first book, Mary of Mile 18. Included are a variety of correspondence (some regarding Blades' grievance against May Cutler), letters and test prints related to the 30th anniversary edition of Mary of Mile 18, and illustrations made for the 1981 National Film Board production of the book.

This series contains materials related to the creation of a cover for Canadian Books for Children, including several drafts and commentaries on them, sketches, and a mock cover. A copy of the published book has been removed from the series and may be found in the main library catalogue.

This series contains the manuscript and illustrations (draft and final) for the unpublished Mile 18 Summer book.

This series contains a variety of Blades' professional correspondence, from the publication of her first book to recent correspondence with other authors. General categories of correspondence include letters to and from publishers, agents, and other authors, letters to various funding and granting agencies, and letters discussing her interest in or lack of time for various illustration and presentation jobs.

File 19-03-04 is particularly notable for her correspondence with other authors.

This series contains publicity materials not related to any specific book, including profiles, interviews, articles, newspaper clippings, and two taped radio interviews. Also included are flyers created and distributed by Blades when she was attempting to do more presentations.

Series contains a contract, a storyboard, a document regarding cover layout, sketches, drawings, paintings, research materials, manuscripts, correspondence, notes, galley proofs, a trade catalogue, reviews and clippings, which document the production and critical reception of the book, <i>Too Small</i>. Some oversized materials are housed in a separate container; please see the file list for further detail. This series contains one restricted file.

This series consists of materials related to the production and publication of Ann Blades' two page spread in Mother Goose: A Canadian Sampler, including her original illustrations and reviews of the published book.

This series consists of materials related to various school and library presentations, art exhibitions, and the 1979 Pacific Rim Conference in which Blades took a part.

This series consists of materials relating to the production and attempted publication of Willemina's Christmas, including the draft and final illustrations and manuscript, and photographs and letters sent to publishers.

Series contains a storyboard, page layout, sketches, rejected and accepted artwork, and reviews for the book, <i>Six Darn Cows</i>. Other documents relating to the publication of <i>Six Darn Cows</i>, can be found in the “Anna’s Pet/Six Darn Cows Materials,” series. These materials are in a separate, intermingled series because the documents found in the files relate to both books. The two works were published as part of the same series, around the same time. As a result, the creator filed many of the documents together. They have been maintained as a separate, integrated series in order to reflect the original organizational system utilized by Blades.

Records in this series indicate that Blades was unsatisfied with the publication of <i>Jacques the Woodcutter</i>, so therefore purchased her rights to the artwork back from the publisher, and collaborated with author Kit Pearson to re-tell the story in <i>The Singing Basket</i>, published by Douglas & McIntyre in 1990.
Series consists of research materials, contracts (including the contract for <i>Jacques the Woodcutter</i>), sketches, correspondence, reviews, royalty documents and artwork pertaining to the publication of <i>The Singing Basket</i>. Note that the final artwork for <i>The Singing Basket</i>, is also largely the final artwork for <i>Jacques the Woodcutter</i>. The artwork has been annotated by the creator to indicate which paintings were used in which publication.

Series consists of sketches, drawings and watercolour paintings related to the production of <i>A Candle for Christmas</i>, including 16 watercolour paintings used for the book. Also included are correspondence and notes regarding the production of the book, royalty documents and clippings and correspondence regarding reviews of the book.

Series contains a storyboard, page layout, sketches, rejected and accepted artwork, and reviews for the book, <i>Anna’s Pet</i>. Also included are brochures from the Mermaid Theatre puppet production of the story. Other documents relating to the publication of <i>Six Darn Cows</i>, can be found in the “Anna’s Pet/Six Darn Cows Materials,” series. These materials are in a separate, intermingled series because the documents found in the files relate to both books. The two works were published as part of the same series, around the same time. As a result, the creator filed many of the documents together. They have been maintained as a separate, integrated series in order to reflect the original organizational system utilized by Blades.

<i>Jacques the Woodcutter</i>, was written by Michael Macklem and published by Oberon Press in 1977.
Series contains sketches, story research and reference photos, rejected artwork, notes, the storyboard, correspondence, the contract, royalty documents, catalogues and reviews for, <i>Jacques the Woodcutter</i>. Much of the final artwork from this published work may be found in “The Singing Basket Production, Reviews and Materials,” series, as the same artwork was used for both publications. The artwork has been annotated by the creator to indicate which paintings were used in which publication.

Series consists of sketches, drawings and watercolour paintings related to the production of Blades’ “Seasons,” board books (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter), including 24 watercolour paintings used for the books. Also included are correspondence and notes regarding the production of the book, royalty documents and clippings and correspondence regarding reviews of the books. Promotional items folder includes the 1991 calendar, “Once upon a time: a selection from the best Canadian illustrators for children.” Some oversized materials are housed in a separate container; please see the file list for further detail.

Series contains a contract, a storyboard, a trade catalogue, a map, a periodical, sketches, drawings, paintings, preparatory manuscripts, correspondence, notes, clippings, research materials, reviews and royalty statements related to the production and sale of the book, <i>A Dog Came, Too</i>. Some oversized materials are housed in a separate container; please see the file list for further detail.

Series consists of sketches, drawings and watercolour paintings related to the production of <i>Pond Seasons</i>, including 27 watercolour paintings used for the book. Also included are correspondence and notes regarding the production of the book, royalty documents and clippings and correspondence regarding reviews of the book. Some oversized materials are housed in a separate container; please see the file list for further detail.

Series contains a contract, sketches, drawings, paintings, manuscripts, storyboards, materials describing layout, correspondence, reviews, clippings and publicity, which document the production, sale and critical reception of the book, <i>The Cottage at Crescent Beach</i>. Some oversized materials are housed in a separate container; please see the file list for further detail.

Series contains a contract, trade catalogues, sketches, drawings, paintings, preparatory manuscripts, correspondence, notes, clippings, research materials, reviews and royalty statements related to the production and sale of the book, <i>Ida and the Wool Smugglers</i>. Some oversized materials are housed in a separate container; please see the file list for further detail.

<i>Anna’s Pet</i>, and <i>Six Darn Cows</i>, written by Margaret Atwood and Joyce Barkhouse, and Margaret Laurence respectively, are both books in the Kids of Canada series, published by James Lorimer and Company.
Series consists of correspondence, manuscripts, contracts, royalty documents and catalogues relating to the publication of both <i>Anna’s Pet</i> and <i>Six Darn Cows</i>. Production related material and reviews for these two publications can be founding the “Anna’s Pet Production and Reviews,” series and the “Six Darn Cows Production and Reviews,” series.

Series contains a contract, a storyboard, sketches, drawings, paintings, manuscripts, correspondence, notes, trade catalogues, reviews, clippings and publicity, which document the production, sale and critical reception of the book, <i>Back to the Cabin</i>. Some oversized materials are housed in a separate container; please see the file list for further detail.

Series contains sketches, drawings, paintings, preparatory manuscripts, correspondence, reviews and royalty reports related to the production and sale of the book, <i>Pettranella</i>. Two watercolour paintings used for the cover and page one of the book were transferred with a later (2006) accrual, however, these paintings have been housed with the rest of the series. Blades enclosed an explanatory note with the 2006 accrual, stating that the artwork was returned to her recently when the publisher, Groundwood, moved their office and discovered the two watercolours.

Series contains sketches, drawings, paintings, a preparatory manuscript, correspondence, reviews, trade catalogues, royalty reports and award related materials, which document the production, sale and critical reception of the book, <i>A Salmon for Simon</i>.

Series contains a contract, a BC Book Prize certificate, a storyboard, sketches, drawings, paintings, preparatory manuscripts, correspondence, notes, clippings, research materials and royalty statements related to the production and sale of the book, <i>A Ride for Martha</i>. Some oversized materials are housed in a separate container; please see the file list for further detail.