Summary

A Bad Case of Stripes is a beloved children's book written and illustrated by American author David Shannon. This vibrant tale explores themes of individuality and self-acceptance through the story of Camilla Cream, a young girl who develops a peculiar condition. Since its publication in 1998, the book has become a staple in elementary school curricula across the United States, often used to teach important values such as being true to oneself, standing up to peer pressure, and respecting differences. It was included in the National Education Association's Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children in 2007.

Plot

In A Bad Case of Stripes, Camilla Cream, a young girl who secretly loves lima beans, refuses to eat them because her friends dislike them. On the first day of school, she wakes up covered in colorful stripes. Despite being cleared to attend school by Dr. Bumble, Camilla's condition worsens when her classmates call out different patterns, causing her skin to shift colors. The principal sends her home, banning her return until the stripes disappear.

At home, Camilla's condition escalates dramatically. After Dr. Bumble's attempted treatment, she transforms into a pill. As various specialists try to cure her, she sprouts roots, berries, crystals, feathers, and a tail. The situation becomes even more bizarre when she develops colonies of microorganisms on her body following discussions by expert scientists. Eventually, an environmental therapist advises Camilla to “become one with the room,” causing her to melt and merge with her surroundings.

Just as her parents are about to lose hope, an old woman appears and correctly diagnoses Camilla's ailment. The cure, she reveals, is lima beans. Initially hesitant, Camilla finally agrees to eat them when she realizes her condition couldn't possibly get worse. Upon consuming the lima beans, Camilla instantly returns to her human form.

The story concludes with Camilla confidently eating lima beans at school for lunch. Although her friends still find her strange for liking them, Camilla no longer cares about their opinions. She embraces her uniqueness, sporting a colorful bow in her hair, and never experiences the stripes again.

Themes

• Importance of being true to oneself

• Peer pressure and conformity

• Self-acceptance and individuality

• Consequences of worrying about others' opinions

• Overcoming fear of being different

• Power of embracing one's unique preferences

• Journey from insecurity to self-confidence

Setting

Set in contemporary America, A Bad Case of Stripes unfolds primarily in the home and school of the protagonist, Camilla Cream. The story takes place in a typical suburban neighborhood, reflecting the everyday environments familiar to many young readers.

While the exact location is not specified, the setting appears to be a middle-class community in the United States. The narrative moves between Camilla's house, her school, and occasionally the offices of various specialists consulted about her condition. These locations serve as backdrops for the increasingly outlandish transformations Camilla undergoes.

The time period, though not explicitly stated, seems to be the late 20th or early 21st century, as evidenced by the modern school setting and the types of medical professionals involved. The story's themes of peer pressure and individuality resonate with contemporary social issues, further grounding it in a recognizable present-day context.

Characters

• Camilla Cream: The protagonist. Camilla is a young girl who loves lima beans but refuses to eat them due to peer pressure. Her desire to fit in and fear of others' opinions leads to her developing a bizarre condition where her skin changes colors and patterns. Throughout the story, Camilla struggles with her identity and learns the importance of being true to herself.

• Dr. Bumble: The family physician who initially examines Camilla. He determines that she is well enough to attend school despite her colorful condition.

• The Old Woman: A mysterious character who appears near the end of the story. She correctly diagnoses Camilla's condition and provides the cure—lima beans.

• Camilla's Parents: Concerned about their daughter's condition, Camilla’s parents seek various treatments to help her. They support Camilla throughout her ordeal.

• The Principal: The school administrator who sends Camilla home due to her distracting condition. He informs her parents that she cannot return until the stripes disappear.

Quick facts

• A Bad Case of Stripes was published in 1998 by Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic Press.

• David Shannon both wrote and illustrated the book.

• The story contains 33 unpaginated pages.

• A Bad Case of Stripes was named among the Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children in a 2007 online poll by the National Education Association.

• The book won the 1999 Montana Treasure State Picture Book Award.

• Lima beans play a crucial role in the story as both the cause and cure of Camilla's condition.

• A Bad Case of Stripes has been praised for its vivid, surreal illustrations, which complement the story's fantastical elements.

• Some critics have described the book's imagery as “disturbing” and “viscerally troubling” due to its grotesque depictions of Camilla's transformations.

About the Author

David Shannon is a renowned American children's book author and illustrator. He ventured into children's literature in 1994 with his first book, How Georgie Radbourn Saved Baseball. His breakthrough came in 1998 with No, David!, which earned him a Caldecott Honor. This book, inspired by Shannon's own childhood mischief, spawned a series of popular “David” books. 

Born in 1959 in Washington, DC, Shannon spent much of his childhood in Spokane, Washington. He studied fine arts at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. After graduating, he moved to New York City, where he began his career creating editorial illustrations for publications from Rolling Stone to TIME.

As both an author and illustrator, his notable books include A Bad Case of Stripes, Duck on a Bike, and Too Many Toys. He has also illustrated books for other authors, among them Audrey Wood's The Bunyans and Jane Yolen's The Ballad of the Pirate Queens. Shannon's unique style, characterized by vibrant colors and expressive characters, has made him one of the most respected illustrators in the field. His passion for baseball is often reflected in his work, and he remains an avid fan of the sport and a softball player. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.