Blackflies is a picture book written by children's author Robert Munsch and illustrated in cartoon-style by Jay Odjick of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabe community in Quebec. This 32-page book will appeal to young children through the cartoon like colour images and the fun text about a girl who just wants to go outdoors following a snow filled winter season. But the outdoors is just filled with swarms of blackflies and mosquitoes. In fact there are too many to count, so Helen says there must be sixteen gazillion. Helen wants to go outdoors so she finds several spray cans that are thought to keep these insects away. But when her sister and father are carried away by these sixteen gazillion blackflies Helen uses the most powerful spray that even knocks out wolves and bears. Blackflies seem to love the scent and chase father and sisters back into their log cabin. So the family finds bug hats and jackets that prevent the sixteen gazillion insects from biting. The story has opportunities for the storyteller to make buzzing insect sounds throughout the tall tale. Munsch was inspired by a young girl named Helen from Fort McMurray during an author visit. Repetition of insect sounds and colourful illustrations combine to create an ideal read aloud during the spring season. Recommended. A French language edition is also available. Blackflies has been selected in the Children's Category Longlist for First Nation Communities READ 2018
