A HALIFAX ABC. Roache, Gordon. Montreal. Tundra Books. 1987. 32pp, paperbound boards, $14.95, ISBN 0-88776-183-6. CIP Grades 1 to 4 Reviewed by Barbara Egererer Volume 16 Number 2 1988 March A Halifax ABC by Gordon Roache depicts the maritime charm of the beautiful port of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The alphabet is used to link twenty-six colourful scenes of Halifax into an art book that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. The pictures show the wharves and ships, festivals and historic sights, quaint places and quiet places with the Haligonians enjoying the unique pleasures of this great international port city. Because Halifax is a winter harbour, its people are conscious of the sea, the oil rigs, the ships, ferries and tall ships present everywhere. Gordon Roache has devoted his life to painting Halifax and its people, and his fall art exhibit is an annual event. After years of encouragement, he has illustrated a whole book on his beloved city. The many illustrations of children show those who live there enjoying the festivals and events of the city—Halloween, Scottish dances, and regattas and sailboats in the harbour. Also depicted is the Halifax of modern buildings, historic properties, the famous citadel and the great sea explosion of 1917. Gordon Roache captures the charm and graciousness of Halifax from a native's point of view. The details of the paintings are carefully explained in the appendix, which also includes a brief history of Halifax. The other alphabet books on Canadian cities that Tundra has published are A Northern Alphabet-A is for Arctic* by Ted Harrison; A Big City ABC by Allen Moak (1984); and Ah, Belle Cité/A Beautiful City ABC: A Montreal ABC** by Stephané Poulin. Each of these books is suitable for all ages. Barbara Egererer, York Region Separate School Board. Richmond Hill, Ont. *Reviewed vol. XI/2 March 1983 p.81. *Reviewed vol. XIV/3 May 1986 p.137.