"Oxford Reds" is our first major super series for newly confident readers.

Each book is on a real-life subject, with a simple lively text and richly coloured, realistic illustrations.

Many are written by well-known children's writers. Each one is written by an author who communicates enthusiasm, passion and understanding for the subject.

Approved by educational experts, "Oxford Reds" contain clear type, simple sentence structures, information boxes, contents pages, alphabetical glossaries, and parents' and teacher's notes.

These books will appeal particularly to the beginner reader who prefers factual information to a story.

The series is planned to launch with 12 titles in 2000 followed by 8 per year.

Other subjects include: "Sharks"; "Snakes"; "Frogs and Toads"; "Dogs"; "Rockets"; "Wolves"; and "Dinosaurs".

About the author: Jan Mark is an experienced writer for children having had over 45 books published.

She has won the Penguin/Guardian award and the Library Association Carnegie Medal amongst others, as well as being shortlisted for the Whitbread and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize.

Jan lives in Oxford.