Told from an older sibling's point of view, this is the story of the effect a new baby has on a family - in this case a family of anthropomorphized zebras. It begins with Mum having a big tummy and then going off to the hospital with Dad, while Granny looks after Za-Za. When Mum comes home with the baby she's very tired. The baby gets all the attention of visitors and Mum and Dad too. They seem always to be busy with baby things and there's no time for stories or to go to the toyshop. Za-Za even has to wait until the baby's been fed before she gets her tea. Finally, she's had enough and demands a cuddle. "Why don't you cuddle the baby?" says Mum. And Za-Za does. She plays with him too and actually has a good time. Then, when the baby's gone to bed, Za-Za gets her cuddle and a bedtime story. Lucy Cousins has written and illustrated "Portly's Hat", which was runner-up for the 1988 MacMillan Prize and the 1989 Bologna Graphics Prize. She has also illustrated "Maisy Goes to Bed", "Maisy Goes Swimming", "Maisy Goes to the Playground", "Maisy Goes to Playschool", "Maisy's ABC", "Farm Animals", "Pet Animals", "Country Animals", "Garden Animals", "What Can Rabbit See?" , "What Can Rabbit Hear?", "Around the House", "Around the Garden", Around the Park", "Around the Farm" and "Noah's Ark".