When students read A Bad Case of Stripes, something magical happens—they see themselves in Camilla Cream’s struggle to fit in. This picture book isn’t just about bright colors and lima beans; it’s a mirror that reflects real feelings about identity, belonging, and courage. Using “A Bad Case of Stripes” for comprehension activities allows you to blend reading skills with social-emotional learning—creating those true Confetti Moments we all love in the classroom.
Story Elements Come Alive
Every strong comprehension lesson starts with the basics—story elements. In A Bad Case of Stripes, students can clearly identify the characters, setting, problem, and solution while noticing how these pieces work together to create a meaningful story.
Start by reading the book aloud and discussing each element as you go. Ask questions like:
- Who is the main character, and what does she want?
- What problem does she face?
- How is that problem finally solved?
Try this: Use my free story elements printable to help students organize their thoughts as they listen. They can fill in boxes, draw illustrations, and color each section in Camilla’s vibrant hues. When finished, you’ll have a visual map of the story—and a hallway display that truly pops with color!
Character Change and Growth
Camilla Cream is more than just a girl who breaks out in stripes—she’s a character who changes from uncertain to unapologetically herself. This makes her story perfect for exploring character change and personal growth.
Ask guiding questions to get students thinking deeply:
- What caused Camilla’s stripes to appear?
- How did she feel about herself at the beginning of the story?
- What changes by the end?
Writing Connection: Have students create a short reflection called My Own Case of Stripes. Encourage them to describe a time they felt pressure to fit in—and what they learned about being themselves. This personal writing moment helps connect literature to life, making comprehension more meaningful.
Theme: Be True to You
Every memorable story has a heartbeat—and in this one, it’s all about self-acceptance. Teaching theme through A Bad Case of Stripes encourages students to think beyond the events and ask why the story matters.
Pose open-ended questions such as:
- What is the author trying to teach us about being ourselves?
- How does Camilla’s journey show that lesson?
Group Challenge: Divide your class into small groups and ask them to find three pieces of text evidence that reveal the story’s theme. You’ll love hearing how their interpretations differ—and how their confidence grows when they can justify their thinking with evidence from the text.
Making Connections and Inferring Feelings
David Shannon’s bold illustrations do more than decorate—they communicate. Each color, pattern, and facial expression reveals how Camilla feels inside. This makes the book a powerful tool for practicing making inferences.
Give students sentence stems such as:
- “Camilla felt ____ when ____.”
- “The author shows Camilla’s emotions through ____.”
Then, discuss how her appearance changes alongside her emotions. For example, what do her rainbow stripes say about her feelings? How does she look different when she finally eats the lima beans again? These visual clues guide students to connect emotion with action—a key skill in understanding character motivation.
Creative Classroom Extensions
Make your comprehension lesson even more colorful with activities that combine art, writing, and self-expression:
🎨 Art Connection: Invite students to design their own “stripes” using patterns or colors that represent their personalities and interests. Display them with a banner titled Be True to You!
🧠 SEL Tie-In: Create a class book called A Bad Case of Being Me, where each student adds a page about something that makes them unique. It’s a beautiful reminder that our quirks are what make us shine.
📖 Vocabulary Practice: Highlight words like unique, authentic, and identity from the story. Use them for context clue practice or add them to your class word wall.
Turning Stripes into Strengths
A Bad Case of Stripes is more than a read-aloud—it’s an invitation to celebrate individuality. By weaving comprehension skills with lessons about self-acceptance, you’ll create a classroom where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to show their true colors.
Before you go, don’t forget to download your free story elements printable! It’s the perfect tool to help students analyze the book while keeping the fun and color of Camilla Cream’s world alive.So go ahead—bring A Bad Case of Stripes into your classroom, and watch as your students turn their stripes into strengths.
