Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.26/5) | Pages: 32 | Age Range: 4-8 years | Buy on Amazon
A Colorful Tale About Being Yourself
David Shannon's A Bad Case of Stripes has captivated over 87,000 readers on Goodreads with its vibrant illustrations and timeless message about self-acceptance. This modern children's classic follows Camilla Cream, a girl who loves lima beans but refuses to eat them because she's worried about her peers' opinions. Her anxiety manifests physically when she wakes up covered in rainbow stripes - a condition that grows increasingly bizarre as she tries desperately to fit in.
Why Parents and Children Love This Book
The book's brilliance lies in how it translates complex social pressures into child-friendly metaphors. Reviewers consistently praise how Shannon:
- Uses whimsical transformations (from stripes to checkerboards to viral patterns) to visualize social anxiety
- Creates suspense through escalating medical interventions that fail to "cure" Camilla
- Delivers the perfect resolution when Camilla embraces her true tastes
Educators particularly appreciate how the story sparks conversations about peer pressure without being preachy. One teacher noted how students immediately grasp the connection between Camilla's changing patterns and the way we sometimes hide our true selves.
Art That Jumps Off the Page
Shannon's acrylic illustrations receive universal acclaim for their:
- Bold, saturated colors that hold children's attention
- Expressive character designs (watch how Camilla's eyes grow increasingly distressed)
- Creative interpretations of each new "condition" (especially the viral "cube" phase)
The visual storytelling complements the text perfectly, allowing even pre-readers to follow Camilla's emotional journey through pictures alone.
The Lima Bean Revelation
Without spoiling the ending, the solution to Camilla's predicament beautifully demonstrates how:
- Self-acceptance begins with small, authentic choices
- Our perceived "flaws" might actually be strengths
- Genuine confidence repels bullies more effectively than conformity
Parents report children asking for lima beans after reading - a testament to how effectively Shannon makes abstract concepts tangible.
Final Verdict
With its 4.26-star average from 87,024 ratings, A Bad Case of Stripes clearly resonates across generations. It succeeds as:
- A conversation starter about authenticity
- An imaginative romp through colorful transformations
- A comforting tale for perfectionistic children
The 32-page length makes it ideal for bedtime reading, while the rich visuals reward repeated exploration. For any child who's ever felt different - or any adult who remembers that struggle - this book offers both entertainment and emotional reassurance.
Discover why this beloved book continues to charm new readers →
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