Bubba, the Cowboy Prince

Helen, Ketteman. 1997. BUBBA, THE COWBOY PRINCE. Ill. by James Warhola. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590255061

*Plot Summary

Bubba is a hard-working Texas ranch hand who is treated horribly by his stepfather and two stepbrothers. Similar to the fairy tale character Cinderella, Bubba, despite his mistreatment, doesn’t resent his family and keeps his hopes high. He still desires the chance to attend the ball and win the heart of Miz Lurleen, a wealthy rancher and landowner. With the help of his magical fairy godcow, Bubba captures Miz Lurleen’s heart, and the story ends in true fairy tale fashion.

*Critical Analysis

In this fractured fairy tale, author Helen Ketteman has successfully created an exciting Texas tale. Bubba and Miz Lurleen are characters who represent the archetype of the “good guy.” Meanwhile, Bubba’s stepfather and stepbrothers provide the necessary evil to the plot. The Texas setting is well-developed through the characters’ occupations, accents, and figures of speech. True to fairy tale structure, the plot moves quickly and reaches a satisfactory resolution.

Readers will enjoy the story despite its predictable plot because of Ketteman’s style. The Texas theme adds interest and humor. For example, not every fairy tale includes a villain who proclaims the hero to be “sorrier than a steer in a stockyard” as Bubba’s stepbrother says of him. Similarly, the dialect adds to the Texas theme and lends itself to story telling. Another fairy tale characteristic is the magic motif which is demonstrated by Bubba’s fairy godcow. Ketteman’s story reminds readers enough of Cinderella to be familiar, but includes interesting changes to the style and theme which make the story worthwhile.

James Warhola’s illustrations add to the overall appeal of this book by emphasizing the characters’ personalities and the Texas theme. For example, when Bubba’s family laughs at his suggestion that he go to the ball along with his stepbrothers, even the stepfather’s horse and dog are giggling. In addition to portraying personalities, Warhola also does an excellent job showing the emotions of each character. At the stroke of midnight when the fairy godcow’s magical spell has expired and Bubba turns “fourteen shades of red,” Warhola’s illustration conveys Bubba’s shock and embarrassment. Accordingly, Texas as a theme and setting come to life in the colorful oil paintings. As readers see a lovely fairy godcow and Miz Lurleen’s living room full of all things Texas; cowboy boot candle sticks, a cactus-shaped coat rack, and a bench with a picture of the Alamo painted on its back.

Along with the text, these witty illustrations convey both humor and magic and set the mood of the story. Readers will identify the magic motif with eye-catching paintings of the fairy godcow in the clouds, and stars surrounding Bubba after he’s given the “handsomest cowboy duds” by his fairy godcow. In several scenes, animals are shown displaying very human emotions and actions (laughing, dancing, being lazy, feeling shocked); this adds to the lighthearted mood of the story. Another memorable page shows a series of three pictures and the transformation of a steer becoming a beautiful stallion. The wide-eyed look of dismay on the animal’s face adds to the appeal using humor and magic. Warhola’s paintings successfully aid the author’s efforts to put a new twist on an old story.

*Personal/Student Response

Reading a variation of an old tale is not always my first choice as a reader; however, I enjoyed this story. Being a native of west Texas, I liked the silly Texas setting, dialect, and slang. The illustrations are terrific and make the story even funnier and more interesting.

Although I enjoyed reading the book on my own, reading it to students was even better. I shared this with several second grade classes in the library, and the students loved it. The narrative and illustrations lend themselves perfectly to reading aloud. Many of the kids were excited to discover and share the differences and similarities between this story and the traditional Cinderella story. The illustrations were another source of great enthusiam. We had a great time searching for the fairy godcow on each page (she's on almost every page), and a few children also noticed small details like the expression on the moon's face when Bubba rides away from the ball and loses his boot. Judging by the reaction of the second grade classes, Ketteman and Warhola do an excellent job grabbing the attention and imagination of young people.

*Review Excerpts

“While spoofing Cinderella is not a new idea, Ketteman and Warhola’s (Aunt Hilarity’s Bustle) well-matched flair for hyperbole gives the narrative and illustrations a one-two punch. Just the ticket for buckaroos lookin’ fer a good read.”
Publishers Weekly

“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.”
BookList

*Connections

-Create a graphic organizer depicting the similarities and differences between Bubba’s tale and the traditional Cinderella story.
-Write an epilogue describing Bubba and Miz Lurleen's life together and the future of Bubba's stepbrothers and stepfather.
-Research the traditional Cinderella story. (What are its origins? Why is it such a popular tale?)
-Discuss the idea of magic. How would the story be different without magic? Would it be possible? Would the story be as good?
-Research and brainstorm ideas for changing the setting of the fractured fairy tale. (What details would we change if the story were set in Alaska? Hawaii? Mexico? New York?)
-Read a variety of other Cinderella stories and choose personal favorites and discuss reasons for preferences.