New Releases by Judy Allen

This introduction to the world of the ladybird aims to bring this familiar, small creature sympathetically to life. Young children should be fascinated by this tiny life found just outside their back door.

THE HIDDEN WORLD Hazel, Fiver and Hawkbit fall down a hole in a burrow and end up in a strange new world of caves - which lead directly to the heart of Efrafa. Outside, Bigwig is sure they have been kidnapped by Woundwort and goes off to Efrafa, willing to fight for his friends. Luckily for Bigwig, Hazel, Fiver and Hawkbit rise to the suface from their secret burrow, just in time to provide him with the perfect escape route from the Efrafa patrol, who are hot on his tail.

Oxford Reds is our first major superseries 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 communicatesenthusiasm, 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. Theseries 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. About Trains: Did you know that early steam trains travelled at twenty miles an hour? Today''s TGV trains in France can travel at speeds of around 180 miles an hour! About the author: Dennis Hamley is a retired teacher who has written numerous children''s books and short stories, among them The War and Freddy, which was shortlisted for the Smarties prize. He also writes crime thrillers for adults. He lives in Hertford and is married with two grown up childrenand one grandson.

When Hannah finds an ivory necklace that belonged to her great-grandmother, it gives her dreams; and she knows she must make restitution to the elephants for their suffering caused by the ivory trade.

During a two-day field trip in the jungle, Miguel loses his fear of an eagle, when it saves his life from a deadly cobra.

A story about Lyn who, following her parents divorce, moves from London to the seaside. Missing her old life, she meets Bill who introduces her to bird watching. Meanwhile, Bill and Lyn''s mother grow closer and Lyn''s jealousy threatens to ruin everything.