Book Review 4

Bibliography
Ketteman, Helen. 1997. Bubba The Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale. Ill. James Warhola. New York, New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590255061.

Plot Summary

Bubba is a good ole’ Texas cowboy in this Cinderella story. He lives on a ranch doing all the work with his wicked stepdaddy and two mean and lazy stepbrothers, Dwayne and Milton. When Miz Lurleen “the purtiest and richest gal in the county” decides to throw a ball to find a real cowboy to help her run her ranch, Milton, Dwayne, and Bubba’s stepdaddy run Bubba around all day helping them prepare for the ball, but they refuse his request to come claiming that Bubba smells “more like the cattle than the cattle do”. However, Bubba’s fairy godcow has different plans for him and uses her magic to get him the right clothes and stallion to attend the ball. While dancing with Miz Lurleen, the clock inevitably strikes midnight which is when the magic runs out, and Bubba flees the ball in shame as he’s left standing in front of Miz Lurleen in his old clothes smelling like a rancher. He accidentally leaves one boot behind, and Miz Lurleen uses it to track him down and marry her “prince in cowboy boots”.

Critical Analysis

Ketteman’s version of Cinderella in this updated Texas classic is refreshing. Ketteman does not paint Bubba as a sad, complaining victim but a rancher who loves what he does and is rewarded in the end. Her use of southern slang such as “dogies” and “purty”, while a bit stereotypical, helps develop the setting and gets the reader into the country version quickly and effectively. The message is simple and beautifully received as Miz Lurleen and Bubba live “happily ever after, roping, and cowpoking”: others should and can love you for who you are even if your “fine duds” turn to “dirty rags” and you don’t always smell great, which is an invaluable lesson for anyone.

Warhola’s illustrations jump from the page due to the vivid colors and larger than life drawings of the characters. Miz Lurleen’s big Texas hair and parlor adorned with southern furniture and accessories help to reinforce the southern aspect of the story. The open landscape, never ending blue skies, and puffy marshmallow clouds that can suddenly turn cow shaped make the reader long for the simple life of the ranch.
True to fairy tale style, Milton and Dwayne are drawn as unattractive, clueless looking characters, while the step father’s black hat and harsh features make him an obvious bad guy. Bubba’s open, round, unassuming face is the perfect protagonist hero face, and Warhola even succeeds in making the cows and horses real characters in the story through his depiction of them laughing, being scared, and reacting positively to a happy ending. Even the moon is personified and shows concern as Bubba rides away humiliated after being revealed to Miz Lurleen. The illustrations make this story engaging and set the perfect tone for a happily ever after.

Review Excerpts
“Great fun and a wonderful twist on the Cinderella story.” Children’s Literature
“This Texas retelling of the Cinderella story will really rope in readers.” The Publisher

Connections
*Read a more traditional version of Cinderella and have students compare and contrast the two.
*Bring in retellings of Cinderella from different cultures and lead a discussion on the role of Cinderella. Does she/he play a victim? Which ones take control of their own fate?