Books with author Ann Blades

A delightfully domestic retelling of the well-known Grimm tale Ann Blades's warm and witty retelling of this classic children's story centers on the happy home life of seven goat kids. When the Wolf tries to trick the kids, the youngest manages to outwit him and overcome the calamities that befall his hapless siblings. Then Mother Goat returns home and calmly sets about repairing the damage, saves her children, and dispatches the wolf in a no-nonsense manner.

Mary of Mile 18 caused a sensation when it was first published in 1971. The story of Mary who finds a wolf pup but is forbidden to keep it as a pet, until it proves its worth on the family farm, touched the hearts of readers in Canada and around the world. Newspapers vied to interview the first-time author, a young woman teaching in a tiny school house in a remote northern settlement. The art was exhibited at the Vancouver Art Gallery and in 1972, the Canadian Library Association enthusiastically voted it Book of the Year for Children.Now 30 years later, new generations are enjoying the story of Mary, her hardworking family and their little home near the woods in Mile 18. Tundra is thrilled to bring forth a new commemorative edition to celebrate an enduring classic.

Mary lives with her family in the far north of British Columbia. The family is settling the land, and Mary and her brothers and sisters work hard to help their parents succeed. Each of the family members has jobs they must do, and everyone must earn their keep. When Mary finds an abandoned wolf cub, she begs her father to let her keep it. But her father is firm: everyone, even the animals on the farm, must earn their keep. He tells Mary she must take the cub into the woods and leave him. Mary does as she’s told, and believes the cub is gone for good, but there are surprises in store for her yet.

As the ice finally clears the river, Charlie, a boy of the Indian reserve of Tache in northern British Columbia, joins his grandparents for the annual spring beaver hunt. They travel by boat to their hunting camp, and Charlie and his grandfather, Za, set their traps. But they’re not at the camp long when Za becomes ill and Charlie must go alone to get help. This is a simple, realistic story of how a native people continues traditional ways, and a touching story of a young boy’s growing maturity and responsibility.