A Bad Case of Stripes highlights the theme of being true to oneself, and is commonly used by educators to teach young students important values.

She turns into a pill after Dr. Bumble tries to give her medication, and grows roots, berries, crystals, feathers, and a long furry tail as a result of different specialists all prescribing their own treatments.

Camilla is instantly turned back into a human, and is finally shown wearing a multi-colored bow in her hair while eating lima beans at school for lunch; although her friends consider her strange for liking them, she doesn't even care a bit.

[7] The reading highlighted the book’s theme of teaching “children to be themselves and to respect those who may be different.” [7] A Bad Case of Stripes is popular in the curricula of many elementary schools.

"[9] According to an elementary school teacher in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Donna M. Sawyer, Shannon’s story encourages students to consider their own experiences to develop a personal connection.

[11] One teacher from Comber, Ontario, Lisa Babula, incorporated a read-aloud, journal reflections, and discussion in literature response groups into three 40-minute class periods.

"[13] A review by Sandra L. Tidwell said that "Shannon's colored illustrations are vibrant and animated, and they show a particular talent for vividly portraying facial expressions.

A librarian at the University of New Brunswick, Lesley Beckett Balcom, recommends the book with reservations, stating, “the sensational illustrations, bold and surreal, are the strength in a book that tries rather too hard to teach a lesson.”[18] An English teacher at Indiana University Northwest believes that A Bad Case of Stripes is “a little preachy at times,” yet this is made up for with the “tongue-in-cheek fun” the illustrations bring to the story.