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TL;DR: Camilla Cream loves lima beans but does not eat them because her friends might think they are strange. When she wakes up with stripes all over her body, doctors cannot cure her, and the stripes change into stranger things. Only when she accepts herself does she find a cure.
Table of Contents
A Bad Case of Stripes at a Glance
| Author | David Shannon |
| First published | 1998 |
| Type | Picture book |
| Best for | children ages 4 to 8 and parents talking about peer pressure |
A Bad Case of Stripes is a picture book by David Shannon, first published in 1998. David Shannon both wrote and illustrated the book. It is a funny and colorful story about being yourself. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The part-by-part section gives away the plot, including the ending, so skip it if you have not read the book yet.
What Happens, Page by Page (Contains Spoilers)
A girl who worries
Camilla is nervous about what others will think. She loves lima beans but orders what her friends like.
The stripes
On the first day of school, she wakes up covered in stripes. Her parents and doctors are alarmed.
Stranger changes
When classmates tease her, the stripes change into other patterns. She becomes whatever people say she is.
Experts
Doctors and specialists try many remedies. Each one makes her condition worse.
An unusual visitor
An old woman arrives with a simple remedy and gives her lima beans.
Back to normal
Camilla eats the beans, and the stripes go away. She decides to be herself.
5 Key Takeaways
- Being yourself is better than pleasing others.
- Peer pressure can affect how we feel.
- Simple solutions can work when complicated ones fail.
- Laughing at mistakes helps.
- Honesty with yourself brings relief.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The pictures are bold and funny.
- The story uses exaggeration to show a real worry.
- It is a good read-aloud.
Who Should Read A Bad Case of Stripes?
Read it with children ages 4 to 8. It starts conversations about fitting in.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of A Bad Case of Stripes:
- What do you notice in the pictures that the words do not say?
- How would you change the ending, and why?
- Which line would a child most like to repeat?
Quick Facts to Remember
- Book: A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon (1998)
- Type: Picture book
- Best for: children ages 4 to 8 and parents talking about peer pressure
- Main idea in one line: Being yourself is better than pleasing others.
Reading Time and Format
A picture book takes only a few minutes, so it suits bedtime or a classroom circle. Look for a sturdy board or hardcover edition if small hands will handle it. Whichever format you choose, a library copy is a low-cost way to try the book before you buy, and used or digital editions are often cheaper than new print copies.
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether A Bad Case of Stripes is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A simple way to get the most from it: first read the TL;DR and the takeaways to decide if the book fits your interests, then read the part-by-part section for the structure, and finally write down one idea you want to remember or one question you want answered by the full text.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of A Bad Case of Stripes, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
This is a short book, so it takes only a few minutes to read aloud. Read it once for the story, then again slowly so children can spot details in the pictures and join in on repeated lines. If you are still unsure, read a free sample or the first chapter, because the opening pages usually show whether the voice and subject suit you. Reviews from readers with tastes like yours can help too, but your own reaction to a few pages is the best test.
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What to Read Next
- No, David! by David Shannon: a funny picture book about a mischievous boy
- The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds: a picture book about courage and creativity
- Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes: a girl who loves her name until school
Related: No, David! by David Shannon: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Bad Case of Stripes about?
A girl who changes shape because she worries what others think.
What age is it for?
Roughly 4 to 8.
Who is the author?
David Shannon.
Is A Bad Case of Stripes worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for children ages 4 to 8 and parents talking about peer pressure. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading A Bad Case of Stripes?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.