Few children’s books capture the imagination and teach valuable lessons, quite like David Shannon’s “A Bad Case of Stripes.” This colorful tale about Camilla Cream, a girl who breaks out in rainbow stripes because she’s worried about what others think, offers more than just entertainment. It’s a powerful tool for teaching essential reading concepts while aligning perfectly with the Science of Reading principles. Whether you’re a parent looking to make storytime more educational or a teacher seeking engaging literacy activities, this beloved book provides countless opportunities to build critical reading skills.
Understanding “A Bad Case of Stripes”: Plot, Themes, and Educational Value
“A Bad Case of Stripes” tells the story of Camilla Cream, who loves lima beans but won’t eat them because her friends dislike them. On the first day of school, she wakes up covered in rainbow stripes. Her condition worsens as she tries to please everyone, transforming into whatever people suggest. Eventually, an old woman helps Camilla be true to herself by giving her lima beans, curing her of stripes.
This engaging narrative offers significant educational value according to literacy research. Picture books with strong narrative elements like “A Bad Case of Stripes” help children develop story comprehension skills that transfer to more complex texts later. The book’s vivid illustrations support what researchers call “visual literacy,” helping children make connections between text and images.
The complexity of the story also makes it suitable for various age groups. For younger readers (ages 4-6), it introduces basic concepts like emotions and colors. For older readers (ages 7-9), it offers opportunities to discuss deeper themes like peer pressure and identity. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for differentiated instruction, allowing educators to address the unique needs of each child—a core principle in the Science of Reading approach.
The book’s engaging plot contains several key features that make it ideal for teaching reading:
- Repetitive patterns and predictable sequences
- Rich, descriptive language
- Clear problem-resolution structure
- Memorable characters with relatable emotions
- Vibrant illustrations that support text comprehension
These elements create multiple entry points for teaching foundational reading skills while maintaining children’s interest—a balance that research shows is crucial for effective literacy development.
Phonological Awareness Activities Using “A Bad Case of Stripes”
Phonological awareness—the ability to identify and manipulate sounds in spoken language—forms a critical foundation for reading success. “A Bad Case of Stripes” offers numerous opportunities to practice these skills in engaging ways.
Start by focusing on alliteration found throughout the book. The character’s name “Camilla Cream” provides a natural opportunity to introduce the concept of repeating initial sounds. You can extend this by creating alliterative phrases related to the story: “colorful Camilla,” “silly stripes,” or “beautiful beans.”
Rhyming games work wonderfully with this text. After reading passages like “She was so worried about what other people thought of her, she was even afraid to eat her favorite food—lima beans,” pause to brainstorm words that rhyme with “beans” (means, scenes, jeans). This activity develops children’s ability to recognize sound patterns, a crucial phonological skill.
Word segmentation activities can also be incorporated by breaking down key words from the story:
- I-t
- C-a-n
- S-i-d
Have children clap out each syllable in longer words like “li-ma” or “doc-tor.” Research shows that children who develop strong phonological awareness skills typically become more proficient readers, as they’re better equipped to decode unfamiliar words.
Build Vocabulary and Comprehension Skills Through This Colorful Tale
“A Bad Case of Stripes” introduces children to rich vocabulary that extends well beyond basic sight words. Terms like “extraordinary,” “specialists,” and “contagious” provide excellent opportunities for vocabulary development.
Before reading, introduce 3-5 challenging words that appear in the story. Show the words, discuss their meanings, and have children listen for them during reading. After reading, revisit these words and discuss how they were used in the context of the story. Pre-teaching of vocabulary significantly improves both word recognition and comprehension.
For comprehension, use the book’s clear narrative structure to teach story elements:
- Setting: Camilla’s home and school
- Characters: Camilla, doctors, specialists, the old woman
- Problem: Camilla’s stripes and transformations
- Solution: Accepting herself and eating lima beans
Ask open-ended questions that encourage critical thinking: “Why do you think Camilla got stripes?” or “How do you think Camilla felt when she couldn’t go to school?” These questions move beyond simple recall to deeper comprehension.
The book also offers natural opportunities to practice making predictions: “What do you think will happen when the specialists arrive?” Prediction activities strengthen comprehension by engaging children actively with text and teaching them to use context clues—an essential Science of Reading strategy.
Use “A Bad Case of Stripes” for Fluency Practice and Expression
Reading fluency—the ability to read with appropriate speed, accuracy, and expression—bridges the gap between word recognition and comprehension. “A Bad Case of Stripes” provides excellent opportunities for developing this crucial reading skill.
The book’s dialogue offers perfect practice for expressive reading. When characters express surprise (“Oh my!” exclaimed Dr. Bumble), fear (“YIKES!” she screamed), or relief, children can practice reading with appropriate emotion and intonation. This practice helps develop prosody—the rhythmic and tonal aspects of speech—which research identifies as a key component of reading fluency.
For repeated reading practice, select a paragraph describing one of Camilla’s transformations. Have the child read it multiple times, focusing first on accuracy, then on speed, and finally on expression. This activity works best for older students or more advanced readers, as the book’s text complexity may be challenging for younger learners. The Science of Reading research shows that repeated reading improves word recognition, reading rate, and overall comprehension.
You can also create readers’ theater scripts based on the story, assigning different characters to different readers. This activity not only improves fluency but also enhances comprehension by requiring children to understand character perspectives and motivations.
As children become more comfortable with the text, encourage them to “read with their voices” by using different tones for different characters, further reinforcing the connection between written text and spoken language.
Bring “A Bad Case of Stripes” to Life in Your Reading Journey
“A Bad Case of Stripes” offers far more than entertainment—it’s a comprehensive tool for developing essential reading skills while fostering a love of literature. By incorporating phonological awareness activities, vocabulary development, fluency practice, and multi-sensory extensions, you transform a simple read-aloud into a powerful literacy experience aligned with Science of Reading principles.
Ready to explore more evidence-based reading activities with your child? Download the Reading.com app today for a 7-day free trial and discover how our structured literacy program can help your child build on the reading skills you’re already developing through wonderful books like “A Bad Case of Stripes.”
