BibliographyKetteman, Helen. 1997. Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale. Ill by. James Warhola. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0-590-25506-1.
Plot Summary
This "Fractured Texas Tale" is a variation of the Cinderella story we have read and enjoyed over the years. For a change, we are introduced to Bubba who is treated like the often cliched "stepchild." He lives on a ranch with his evil stepfather and lazy, mean stepbrothers Milton and Dwayne. Bubba is often taunted by his stepfamily because he is always dirty and smelly. He is always in this disheveled condition because he works from sun up to sun down on three ranches with no help from the others. He is the dutiful son who never complains about being misused and the only thing he gets from the three men is criticism. But Bubba's life on the ranch changed one day. There was talk of a ball in honor of pretty Texan Miz Lurleen who is in search of a rancher to wed. Invitations are sent out to the ranchers, so of course Bubba's stepfather and stepbrothers will anxiously attend. Bubba helped them to prepare for the ball and sadly watched them leave. He told them that he wished to go as well, but they told him that he wasn't worth going to the ball because he was just a filthy, foul smelling ranch hand. Sadly he rode off and was soon thrown off of his horse by a bolt of lightening. Then appeared who became Bubba's "fairy god cow." With the help of his fairy, Bubba became attired in the best of of cowboy's clothes and he was also given a beautiful horse to ride on to the ball. Even after his transformation, things still would not be so easy for Bubba. Before he departed, the fairy god cow told him that he must leave the ball before midnight because he would be changed back into the old rancher that everyone knew. Bubba made it to the ball and finally got his chance to dance with Miz Lurleen. No one recognized this handsome guy at first but right when Bubba was having the time of his life, the clock struck midnight. In the blinking of an eye, the old Bubba was back. He quickly left the ball, but not before he lost one of his new shiny boots. Miz Lurleen was so taken with this rancher in spite of his appearance, that she went all around town in search of the one who lost his boot. Noone could fit the boot and Miz Lurleen had just about given up until Bubba rides up with only one boot on his foot. Miz Lurleen not only finds her prince, but she finds true happiness.
Critcical Analysis
The dialect used by Ketteman is humorous and reminiscent of true Texas style. When Miz Lurleen says, "I aim to find myself a feller," and after his makeover Bubba says, "Why I look downright purty," we are reminded of that infamous Texas drawl that many Southerners can't seem to rid themselves of. But is this a bad thing? It absolutely is not! Furthermore, the sentiment for Bubba is felt throughout the book. We can't help but feel for Bubba when his brother Dwayne told him "Why, you're sorrier than a steer in a stockyard." The other brother Milton didn't help matters when he said, "Can you imagine Miz Lurleen dancing with the likes of you?" The word Miz used instead of Miss is another example of the dialect many Texans are guilty of using.
With traditional literature, we learn a lesson from the characters. Ketteman didn't disappoint in this fractured tale. The character's Bubba and Miz Lurleen further convinces us that no matter who we are, there will be someone in the world who will geniunely appreciate through and through. Readers are sympathetic to Bubba's plight and the author's heartfelt storytelling allows us to remain hopeful for Bubba's sake. Nevertheless, Bubba shows us not only unlikely ladies can be transformed into beautiful princesses, but "dirty ranch hands" can be changed into handsome princes too!
Before readers can open the book, their eyes are riveted to the beautiful, sparkling horse that carries a striking young man. The blue cover accentuates the rainbow colors surrounding the horse and this is only the beginning of the detailed pictures we see throughout the book. The author's depiction of the bucktook stepbrother Dwayne and the other potbellied brother Milton are really funny. What's even better is Miz Lurleen's blonde hair which is truly "as big as Texas!" But the best illustration is the one of Bubba and Miz Lurleen riding off into that beautiful Texas sized sun set to live their lives happily ever after!
Review Excerpts
Nebraska Golden Sower Award 2001
Readers Choice Award's list in 8 states
Starred review in Publisher's Weekly: "Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee slappin' tale."
Starred review in Booklist: "With a male in the starring role, this charming and funny retelling may hold more appeal for young boys than the traditional version may."
Connections
This book can be used to help children pessimists believe that sometimes happily ever after does exist.
*Gather other books illustrated by James Warhola:
The Cave Time. ISBN 0-553-12790-X
The Mona Lisa is Missing. ISBN 0-553-27004-4
*A great classic that helps chidren see the happy ever after ending is the classic:
Hayes, Sarah. Hansel and Gretel. ISBN 0517615495
*Gather other picture books by Helen Ketteman:
Not Yet Yvette. ISBN 087557722
Armadilly Chili. ISBN 087504572
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