About the author
Griselda Gifford has written over thirty books, mostly for a readership of 8–10. She is a member of PEN and the Scattered Authors Society, and visits schools to talk about books and writing. One of her first favourite books was Black Beauty, which she loved so much at the age of 8 she ‘hid in a hayfield and read [it] in an afternoon.’ Her two books about Cass are aimed at the slightly younger reader. Silver’s Day is a good read; there’s plenty of variety in the characters, and their reactions have a depth to them that makes the book an appealing read.
Finding the books
Both the books are easy to find, though Silver’s Day appeared only in hardback.
Links and sources
Griselda Gifford’s website
Bibliography (pony books only)
Cass the Brave
Victor Gollancz Ltd, London, 1980, illus Mary Rayner
Puffin, pb, 1980
Cass and her twin sister Carrie leave London for the country where their father has become Vicar of an ancient church. On her first evening there, Cass picks a leaf from St Govan’s fig tree despite a warning prophecy that “he who picks a leaf will need a hearse”. Soon her time is fully occupied with choir practices, a visit from the Bishop, adjusting to life with a new stepmother, coping with
the lodgers and even a haunting! She makes a new friend, too, a strange boy called Matt who owns an old, white horse. But at the back of her mind, the threat of the fig tree is constantly present …
Silver’s Day
Victor Gollancz Ltd, London, 1980, illus Mary Rayner, 91pp.
Cass makes friends with Flora at the beginning of the school term, even though everyone else laughs at her because she looks odd. Flora has an unexpected talent with horses, and helps Cass to train Silver for the show. There are several mysteries and problems to be solved along the way.
