A Bad Case of the Stripes Activities and Comprehension Questions

Do your students struggle with peer pressure? Read on to find A Bad Case of the Stripes activities and comprehension questions to promote self-esteem, positive self-perception, peer pressure and being yourself.

In A Bad Case of the Stripes by David Shannon Camila Cream learns to accept herself for who she is and be comfortable in her skin. The book’s themes include:

Be free to make your own decisions about who you want to
Change for yourself and not for others
Don’t let peer pressure influence your choices and behaviour

A Bad Case of the Stripes also gives you the opportunity to teach about:

Scroll down for A Bad Case of the Stripes activities, discussion questions and videos.

A Bad Case of the Stripes Summary

Camilla Cream loved lima beans but because her friends hated them. She was worried about what others thought of her, and she wanted to fit in. One morning Camilla wakes up with a bad case of the stripes.

Her doctor doesn’t know the cause and sends her to school. Her classmates laugh at her and call her names. When Camilla says the Pledge of Allegiance, she turns into the American Star and Stripes flag.

Her parents call in the experts who give Camilla medicine, which ends up turning her into a pill. Another expert tells her to breathe and become one with her room, and she does, literally!

It is only when an old lady helps the girl admit the truth, she feels confident to be herself and not bow to peer pressure.

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon
Illustrator: David Shannon
Publisher: Scholastic (2004)
ISBN: 9780439598385

David Shannon's Official Website

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A Bad Case of the Stripes Activities & Resources

I have created a bundle of literacy graphic organizers for A Bad Case of the Stripes. You can find them at my Teachers Pay Teachers store. There are many activities for each literacy area to differentiate depending on your student’s ability/age. They include activities for:

*Click on these links to discover book recommendations on these topics.

A Bad Case of the Stripes Activities & Links

The Ned Show: A Bad Case of Stripes activities
Read Write Think: A Bad Case of Bullying: Using Literature Response Groups
Reading is Fundamental: Guide for Educators
Reading Rockets: David Shannon interview
Scholastic: A Bad Case of Stripes Lesson Plan
Storyonline: A Bad Case of Stripes Activities
Teaching Children Philosophy: A Bad Case of the Stripes Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion

FREE A Bad Case of the Stripes Activities

Would you like free graphic organisers for A Bad Case of the Stripes?

I have a freebie that is part of a larger resource so you can try it out before buying anything!

Fill in the form below to get access to the FREE pack. Click on the image to see the full pack on Teachers Pay Teachers.

A Bad Case of the Stripes Read-Aloud Questions

Read aloud sessions are a wonderful way for children to understand the connection between written text and spoken language. You can model reading habits and strategies, reading fluency, tone and eye contact. You can also introduce different genres, authors and illustrators.

Why do you think Camilla got stripes?
What do you think will happen when Camilla goes to school?
What do you think could cure Camilla?
Why is Camilla so afraid to admit she likes lima beans?
Why did the old lady give Camilla lima beans?
During her bad case of the stripes is Camilla still Camila?
What do you think would have happened if
Camilla had just eaten the lima beans?

You can find a full set of 72 comprehension cards comprehension questions for A Bad Case of the Stripes available in my TPT Store.

A Bad Case of the Stripes Book Videos

Books by David Shannon

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