A Bad Case of Stripes: questions to ask and activities to try
Camilla Cream worries so much about what everyone thinks that she breaks out in stripes. A bold, funny book about fitting in and being true to yourself.
What age is A Bad Case of Stripes for?
A Bad Case of Stripes is best for ages 4–8.
A Bad Case of Stripes (David Shannon)
- Age
- 4-8
- Best for
- Worrying what others think, and being true to yourself
Only 50pA Bad Case of Stripes activity sheet3 printable pages: questions to talk about, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the grown-up. Instant PDF.
Just want the questions? Get the free question card ↓
Enjoy the wild pictures. Then ask why Camilla hid that she loved lima beans, and what finally made her better.
Is this book right for your child?
- Age
- 4–8 (Reception to Year 3)
- What they'll enjoy
- Camilla Cream worries so much about what everyone thinks that she breaks out in stripes. A bold, funny book about fitting in and being true to yourself.
- Helps with
- Worrying what others think, and being true to yourself
- Buy or borrow?
- Borrow it from the library first if you can. If your child asks for it again and again, it’s one worth owning, and the questions and activities on this page work best with the book open next to you.
What it helps with
- Worrying what others think
- Trying too hard to fit in
- Being true to yourself
- Peer pressure
Comprehension and discussion questions for A Bad Case of Stripes
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why didn’t Camilla eat lima beans?”
- “What happened when people said things about her?”
- “Who finally helped her, and how?”
- “Why did admitting she loved lima beans make her better?”
- “Is there something you like that others might think is strange?”
- “Why is it OK to be different?”
For the full list of questions and more, download the PDF below.
Print these questions: free question card for A Bad Case of Stripes
All 6 questions for A Bad Case of Stripes on one printable page, each marked with the reading skill it practises. Enter your email and download it straight away.
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5-minute activities to try together
Stripes of me
Draw a striped T-shirt. On each stripe, write or draw something your child truly loves, even if others don’t.
Taste test
Try a food together that’s a bit unusual. Talk about how everyone likes different things, and that’s fine.
A Bad Case of Stripes activity sheet: printable worksheet and questions
All the questions and activities above on a ready-to-print activity sheet: questions tagged by reading skill with space to answer, a drawing and writing page with a self-check, and notes for the adult with curriculum links and a 20-minute session plan. Pay by card, PayPal or Payhip and download straight away.
- Page 1, talk about it: questions about the story, each tagged with the reading skill it practises, with space to answer or tick
- Page 2, my favourite part: a drawing box, a sentence starter and a “how did I do?” self-check
- Page 3, notes for the adult: curriculum links, a 20-minute session plan, extension activities, and support and challenge ideas
- Read it togetherEnjoy the story first.
- Ask 2 or 3 questionsFrom the list above, while everyone is calm.
- Print the activity sheetAn activity sheet with questions, a drawing page and notes for you.
Confidence & Not Giving Up bundle15 activity sheets for books on the same themeThe 15 books:The Lion InsideGiraffes Can’t DancePerfectly NormanThe Snail and the WhaleSugarlump and the UnicornThe Ugly FiveThe DotElmerThe Tiny SeedSupertatoA Brave BearAlfie Gets in FirstAstro GirlAvocado BabyBlackbird, Blackbird, What Do You Do?£4.99 3 sheets for £1.25A Bad Case of Stripes + The Lion Inside + Giraffes Can’t DanceThe 3 books:A Bad Case of StripesThe Lion InsideGiraffes Can’t Dance£1.25 Pick your own books: build a bundle with this one, up to 15% off →
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Use it as a lesson plan
Children can listen to A Bad Case of Stripes, answer questions about it and give a reason for their ideas, and talk about worrying what others think.
A 20-minute session for ages 4–8 (Reception to Year 3), for a class, a small group or one child at home.
- Warm up (2 minutes). Show the cover and read the title. Ask: “What do you think this story will be about?”
- Read aloud (6 minutes). Read it all the way through. Tip: Enjoy the wild pictures. Then ask why Camilla hid that she loved lima beans, and what finally made her better.
- Talk about it (4 minutes). Pick two or three of the comprehension and discussion questions above. “Why didn’t Camilla eat lima beans?” works well to start.
- Activity (6 minutes). Do Stripes of me. Draw a striped T-shirt. On each stripe, write or draw something your child truly loves, even if others don’t. Children who finish early can try Taste test.
- Wrap up (2 minutes). Ask each child for one thing they will remember from the story, and why.
Want to go further? The A Bad Case of Stripes activity sheet has these questions with space to answer, a drawing and writing page, and notes for the adult.
If your child liked this, try
After the Fall (Dan Santat)
- Best for
- Children who are scared to try again after something went wrong
- Age
- 4-8
Amazing Grace (Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch)
- Best for
- You can be anything you want to be
- Age
- 4-8
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners (Joanna Ho and Dung Ho)
- Best for
- Loving your eyes and your heritage
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.