Bubba the Cowboy Prince

Bibliographic Data
Ketteman, Helen. 1997. Bubba the cowboy prince: a fractured Texas tale. Ill by James Warhola. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0-590-25506-1


Plot Summary
Bubba is made to do all the work around the ranch by his stepfather and stepbrothers, and never gets to have fun, including going to Miz Lurleen’s ball. His fairy godcow saves the day by providing Bubba with fancy clothes and a white steed to take him to the dance. In the end though, it’s Bubba’s true self that win’s Miz Lurleen’s heart, and they live happily ever after.


Critical Analysis
As in any Cinderella tale, the main character of Bubba is fundamentally good, and is severely oppressed by his evil family members. He has no one to stick up for him, and he performs his chores without complaint. Unlike the traditional heroine though, this Cinderella is happy to perform his chores because he loves ranching. This is a modern, realistic note that will strike a chord with today’s children, who might wonder why Bubba would stay under such harsh conditions otherwise. This departure also provides a meaningful reason for Bubba and Lurleen to marry, because she too has a love for ranching.

Unlike most Cinderella tales, this one is funny! Ketterman doesn’t shy away from explaining just how bad a true cowboy smells, and the idea of a fairy godcow is extremely silly. She also uses a stereotypical Texas voice which would ring false in many stories, but in this fantastic context, it’s exactly right. Ketterman even answers the question of what would happen if the clock struck midnight before Cinderella leaves the ball. In this case, it proves to Miz Lurleen that she has fallen in love with a true cowboy, and she knows she must find him.

Ketterman’s story is entertaining, but Warhola’s illustrations are what makes this story click. Miz Lurleen’s big hair, the big Texas sky, and the sparkle of Bubba’s outfit are perfect, and if you look closely you’ll notice a romance brewing between Bubba and Miz Lurleen’s dogs. Most remarkable are the expressions on the characters’ faces, because Warhola has made it perfectly clear what they are thinking, even down to the surprise on the faces of the livestock when they meet the fairy godcow.


Review
From Publishers Weekly:

“While spoofing Cinderella is not a new idea, Ketteman and Warhola's (Aunt Hilarity's Bustle) well-matched flair for hyperbole gives both the narrative and illustrations a one-two punch. Just the ticket for buckaroos lookin' fer a good read.” --Copyright 1997 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


Connections
This book would be a fun read for students during a unit on Texas, but would also work well for discussing story elements, such as plot, characters, and setting.


*****


Reviews found at the Carrollton Public Library website, http://cityofcarrollton.com/library/