Friday, February 9, 2007

Traditional Book Review--Bubba the Cowboy Prince

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ketteman, Helen. 1997. Bubba the Cowboy Prince. A Fractured Texas Tale. Ill by Warhola, James. New York, NY: Sholastic Inc.. 0590255061.

PLOT SUMMARY
Bubba The Cowboy Prince, A Fractured Texas Tale, is an entertaining unique adaptation of the classic wonder tale, Cinderella. Bubba lives with his wicked stepbrothers and his mean stepfather. The stepbrothers are lazy and domineering. Bubba, on the other hand, is submissive and is constantly serving his demanding father and stepbrothers. Miz Lurleen, “the purtiest and richest gal in the county”, throws a ball to find herself a “feller”. By the time Bubba completes his chores and helps his family get ready, he is worn-out and filthy. He asks his family to wait for him to get ready. They tell him that Miz Lurleen will not dance with him since he is so dirty and smelly. As he heads for the cow pasture, a fairy “godcow” appears and provides him with handsome cowboy “duds” and turns a steer into a beautiful white stallion. Bubba arrives at the ball and wins Miz Lurleen’s heart. At midnight, he turns into a dirty cowpoke again while he is dancing with Miz Lurleen. As he dashes off, he loses one of his cowboy boots. The boot helps Miz Lurleen to find Bubba the next day. They ride their horses into the sunset and live happily ever after.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a tall tale with a Western twist. The plot is similar to the traditional version of Cinderella but there is a break in the stereotype. Children, especially those from Texas, will find the cowboy theme interesting. The text is full of Texas maxims, such as "darker than a black bull at midnight" and "another ten dollar Stetsons on a five cent head."
This story can be read aloud with a Texas drawl to make it more dramatic. Since the story is familiar, the children will be able predict the next scene. However, they will find the unusual adaptation thrilling and entertaining.

The illustrations painted by James Warhola depict Texas symbols. For instance, a clock in the shape of the state of Texas hangs in Miz Lurleen’s living room. Also, there are scenes with pictures of cactus in the background. The features of the characters are well-defined. The oil paintings are brightly colored and whimsical. Warhola is extremely talented in giving appropriate expressions to his characters. For example, the bewildered expressions on the rest of the cattle when the fairy godcow appears are entertaining. Also, the horse carrying the wicked stepfather and brothers to the ball has the same mean look as the humans.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)


Horn Book Guide (March 1, 1998). This fairy tale takeoff substitutes the stepson of a wicked cattle rancher for Cinderella and an industrious wealthy neighbor gal with Texas-size hair for the prince. The western-style trimmings of the text and accompanying oil paintings are humorous but not enough to justify retelling a story that's as overworked as poor Bubba. Horn Rating: Recommended, with minor flaws.

Booklist (December 1, 1997). Ages 5-8. Retold countless times with new twists and different settings, the story of Cinderella seems to have universal and endless appeal. This western version features a cow as the fairy godmother, and breaks tradition with a gender reversal in which the Cinderella role is played by a likable Texas cowboy named Bubba, and the handsome prince's part is taken by Miz Lurleen, a spunky (and wealthy) cowgirl who throws a ball when she decides it's time to find a husband. Ketteman wisely leaves the plot unchanged, but the story has a distinct western flair and a humorous tall-tale feel that is greatly enhanced by the exaggerated actions and facial expressions of the characters in Warhola's double-page-spread oil paintings. With a male in the starring role, this charming and funny retelling may hold more appeal for young boys than the traditional version may

Publishers Weekly (November 17, 1997). Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale. Bullied by his step-kin, Bubba is stranded on the ranch while the rest of Texas attends the ball hosted by Miz Lurleen ,"the purtiest and richest gal in the county", who is looking for a feller who loves ranching as much as she does. While Bubba checks the herd, the sky grows "darker than a black bull at midnight." The thunderhead rolling in turns out to be his fairy godcow” haloed, freshly coiffed and wielding not a wand but lightning bolts. By the time the duded-up Bubba hits the shindig, Miz Lurleen has wearied of the last of her suitors ("another ten-dollar Stetson on a five-cent head"). After some fine do-si-do-ing, Bubba's duds turn to rags, but Miz Lurleen is infatuated. 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. Ages 5-8.

CONNECTIONS

This is an interesting folk tale for children and can be used to compare it to the original Cinderella. The dramatic and picturesque illustrations inspire the imagination of younger children who cannot read.

Other similar stories by Ketteman:

Waynetta and the Cornstalk (0807586870): A Texas Fairy Tale—based on the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk
Armadilly Chili (0807504572)—based on the story of Little Red Hen

Other stories by Ketterman:
The Great Cake Bake (0802789501)

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