A Bad Case of Stripes
Written and Illustrated by David Shannon, 1998
This Children's Literature book is one of my favorite fiction books, not only because of its wonderful message to children, but also because it has some of the most intricate, fun, and colorful illustrations I've ever seen. This book is about a school aged girl named Camilla who just wants to fit in and please everyone. This idea of pleasing everyone one day back fires on Camilla and all of a sudden her skin turns into rainbow stripes, and then all the children made fun of her and she began to change into every design, color, or thing they told her to. Even all the doctors and specialists could not cure Camilla, and they even made her worse by making her grow all kinds of strange things. Finally, a little old woman comes to the door and gets Camilla to admit she loves lima beans and that it's ok to be different and then Camilla is cured of her stripes forever.
This story has a very meaningful message to children that just because you may like something that most people do not or you may look different then someone else, doesn't mean that you shouldn't be yourself. Everyone should accept themselves and each other for who we are and no one should be afraid or ashamed to be themselves. This message is relayed in a very unique and imaginative way that will really catch the young readers attention.
Reader Response Questions
- What is something that you like that most people do not like?
- If you could have stripes or any pattern as skin, what would you choose?
Motivational Activities
Have everyone sit in a circle and share something about themselves that they think makes them different, this way now everyone can see that being different is actually pretty normal!
More books written by David Shannon...
David (7 book series)
Duck on a Tractor
Duck on a Bike
Alice the Fairy
Pirates Don't Change Diapers
...and many more
Shannon, D. (1998). A Bad Case of Stripes. New York City, NY: Scholastic Press.
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