BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ketteman, Helen. 1997. BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE: A FRACTURED TEXAS TALE. Ill. By James Warhola. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN-10: 0590255061
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In this very amusing fractured western retelling of Cinderella, we find roles switched and meet a humble and engaging “Bubba”rella instead of the traditional Cinderella. Poor Bubba works hard every day doing what he loves best, ranching and cow poking. His worthless stepbrothers are good at bossing him around and not much good at anything else. His stepdaddy obviously favors his flesh and bone sons and does not appreciate his stepson’s hardworking ways. When Miz Lurleen, a wealthy ranch owner decides it’s time to marry, she invites all eligible bachelors to a do-si-do and is heartily disappointed with the lack of “real” cowboys who show up for her shindig. Of course, Bubba makes it to her shindig with help from a very kind “godcow” who gussied him to look pretty darn good, but just until midnight. Bubba, back in rags, loses track of time and loses his worn boot in his hurry to high tail it out of there. However, Miz Lurleen has found her cowboy and will not be deterred. With boot in hand, she sets out to find him. A fairy tale ending ensues with Bubba and Lurleen riding off into the sunset.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A fractured Texas Tale features a strong female heroine, Miss Lurleen and a handsome and humble Cinderella, Bubba. It truly captures western culture with encoded Texas twang and turns the classic Cinderella into a funny story that engages and entertains readers of all ages.
Ms. Ketteman has broken away from the very traditional roles exemplified by the classic Cinderella story. Although Bubba may be a bit naïve and his circumstances are “sorry”, he focuses on the positive thing in his life, ranching. Bubba shows us his sensitive side many times in the story. When he realized that he was not presentable to dance with Miz Lurleen, he”…felt lower than a rattlesnake in a gully.” Miz Lurleen is a strong character who also happens to be a successful rancher. She can see beneath the “raggedy shirt” of Bubba to see a heart that beats to the same passion, ranching. Unlike the traditional Cinderella, she is a strong role model for young girls. Bubba shows boys that it is perfectly acceptable to be sensitive.
The illustrations are exceptionally well-matched with the story. Ketteman’s mastery with words and Warhola’s hilarious illustrations result in a fun, humorous and very entertaining tale. Warhola’s illustrations capture the characters essence beautifully. The “godcow” is a “hoot.” Together, Ketteman and Warhola capture the spirit of the old West and breathe new life into a classic story.
4. AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
KIRKUS: “A Cinderella parody features the off-the-wall, whang-dang Texas hyperbole of Ketteman (The Year of No More Corn, 1993, etc.) and the insouciance of Warhola, who proves himself only too capable of creating a fairy godcow…”
5. CONNECTIONS
Readers who enjoyed this retelling of Cinderella may also enjoy:
Lowell, Susan. Ill. Jane Manning. CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERLLA. ISBN-10: 0064438643
Cole, Babette. PRINCE CINDERS. ISBN-10: 0698115546
Jackson, Ellen. Ill. Kevin O’Malley. CINDER EDNA. ISBN-10: 0688162959
Steptoe, John. MUFARO’S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS. ISBN-10: 1591123186
Louie, Ai-Ling. YEN-SHEN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM CHINA. ISBN-10: 0698113888
Climo, Shirley. AN EGYPTIAN CINDERELLA. ISBN-10: 0064432793