"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"; "Dinosaurs"; and "Whales".

About the author: Rose Impey was born and grew up in Northwich, Cheshire.

She now lives in Leicester, where she taught for a few years in a Junior School, and has two grown-up daughters.

Rose has written over sixty books, from first picture books through to early teen novels.

She is probably best known for her very popular "Animal Crackers" series.