A Bad Case of Stripes

by David Shannon

Discussion Guides and Activity Ideas
ABOUT THE BOOK:

Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don't like them. And Camilla Cream is very, very worried about what other people think of her. In fact, she's so worried that she's about to break out in...a bad case of stripes! Will Camilla and her classmates ever learn to accept her for what she is?

David Shannon is the author and illustrator of many highly praised books for children. Born in Washington, D.C., he grew up in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California with a fine arts degree, and he and his wife now live in Los Angeles.

DISCUSSION STARTERS:

  • Before reading: Just by looking at the cover what do you think the book will be about?

  • What did you think was wrong with Camilla when you first read about her stripes?

  • Why do you think Camilla Cream was afraid to have people find out that she liked lima beans? Was she right?

  • What would Camilla’s life be like it she never got rid of her stripes?

  • Do you like something that no one else does? Like Camilla, do you try to pretend you don't like it? Do you dislike something that everyone else seems to like?

  • What could Camilla's teacher & parents have done to help Camilla deal with the students who were making fun of her?

  • Do you think the students in the story were bullying Camilla? Why or why not?

  • Could there have been someone else in Camilla's class that liked lima beans too, but just didn't want to admit it either?

  • Camilla is trying very hard to be like everyone else - what would the world be like if we were all the same?

  • What important lesson did you learn from this story?

  • What were you feeling when you finished the book?

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:

  • Check out our Events Calendar for the date of the next "Stripes Extravaganza" pajama party at the Prior Lake or Savage library

  • Make an outline of yourself on a large piece of paper (or of your hand on a smaller piece; or make a mask) – decorate it with things you like. What things do you like that other people like? What things do you like that nobody else likes?

  • Try writing your own sequel to A Bad Case of Stripes - imagine Camilla's next adventure and how she has changed

  • Design a picture of yourself in Camille's situation - what kind of situations would create your patterns?

  • Play games about bullying and conflict resolution on these two websites:

  • Reflect on a time when you changed yourselves to “fit in” with a group of people. Write a story about your experience.

  • An older child can read the book aloud to a younger sibling or book buddy and discuss the “need to fit in” versus being yourself

  • Students: Do an author study with the author David Shannon. Read various books aloud from the author and look for the similarities and differences of the books. Click here to go to David Shannon's Scholastic website to read more about the author, including an interview with David and a list of his other books

  • Interview a role model or a person you look up to. Then compile questions about being yourself and share why their role model thinks it is important to be yourself.

  • What role is the media play in the story? Watch the news with your parents and try to see how and why the station covers the stories it does.

 

Other Picture Books about Human Worth & Dignity

·         Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by  Patty Lovell

·         Amigo by Byrd Baylor

·         All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka

·         Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman

·         Babushka Baba Yaga by Patricia Polacco

·         If the World Were a Village by David Smith

·         In Mamma’s Kitchen by Jerdine Nolen

·         Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester

·         Meet Woodfin and Has Anyone Seen Woodfin by Susan Egner

·         Mr. George Baker by Amy Hest 

·         The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau

 
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