Module 2: Traditional Tales - BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA:

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

PLOT SUMMARY:

In this endearing and hilarious version of the Cinderella tale, Ketteman creates a refreshing and surprising tale that will cause readers to rethink what they know about Cinderella. Instead of the usual hard-working girl magically running off to the ball to steal the heart of the handsome young prince, Ketteman completely turns things upside down by telling the tale of a tough, hard-working young cowboy named Bubba, who is overworked and mistreated by his cruel “stepdaddy” and two stepbrothers. When Bubba’s stepbrothers head off to a ball thrown by Miz Lurleen, the “purtiest” girl around, Bubba is left behind on the family ranch. True to the Cinderella plot, magic intervenes in the form of a fairy godcow to help Bubba get dressed for the ball. Just as Bubba begins to win Miz Lurleen’s heart, the magic wears off as the clock strikes midnight, leaving Bubba filthy and smelling like cattle. As Bubba runs off, his boot is left behind, and Miz Lurleen sets off to find the owner of the boot. Once she discovers that Bubba’s foot fits perfectly into the boot, the happy couple rides off on horseback into the sunset.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The unexpected and comical characters are what make this a successful and unforgettable version of Cinderella. Readers will immediately identify Bubba, the tough, hard-working young cowboy, as the hero of the story. The wicked stepdaddy and lazy stepbrothers are easily disliked, and readers will delight in their foiled attempts to keep Bubba down. The rich and beautiful Miz Lurleen, the counterpart to the handsome prince in the original tale, is endearing and likeable. Perhaps the most hilarious character of all is the fairy godcow, who appears after a lightning strike, chewing her cud and magically helping Bubba get ready for the ball. The necessary components of good and bad characters for this version of Cinderella are all present, and Ketteman does an outstanding job putting a fresh and funny twist on the traditional Cinderella characters.

The simple plot of this story follows the usual Cinderella formula with twists and differences to match the outstanding new characters. A disappointed Bubba is left to herd cattle on the ranch while his cruel stepdaddy and stepbrothers head off to Miz Lurleen’s ball. After a bolt of lightning, Bubba hears someone telling him to go to the ball. Bubba is surprised to find the voice coming from a fairy godcow, who, with a few swishes of her tail, magically transforms Bubba into a clean and handsome cowboy atop a beautiful white stallion. To the dismay of Bubba’s stepdaddy and stepbrothers, Miz Lurleen is enamored with the new and improved Bubba. But, the night takes a dramatic turn when the magic disappears at midnight, leaving Bubba filthy, smelly, and dressed in rags in the arms of Miz Lurleen. Of course, Bubba runs away, leaving Miz Lurleen unsure of the identity of the handsome young cowboy. Luckily, Miz Lurleen is left with one of Bubba’s boots, and she sets off to track down the owner of the boot, the man she wants to marry. When the boot fits perfectly on Bubba’s foot, the wicked stepdaddy and stepbrothers are furious as Bubba and Miz Lurleen ride off to live “happily ever after, roping, and cowpoking, and gitting them dogies along.”

The setting, a ranch in Texas, plays an important role in this tale. It provides a completely new and different context to tell an innovative version of an old tale. The unexpected setting gives fullness to the comical characters.

Staying true to the Cinderella theme, this story underscores the message that good prevails over evil. Readers will be overjoyed and relieved when Bubba triumphs in the end, leaving the cruel stepdaddy and stepbrothers defeated.

Ketteman’s style includes using comical slang throughout the story, such as “dogies,” “feller,” and “purty.” While this Cinderella version does not attempt to reflect an actual culture, Ketteman’s humor and exaggerated Texas slang add to the originality and universal appeal of this tale.

James Warhola provides fantastic painterly illustrations that enhance the humorous quality of this story. The exaggerated facial features of the wicked stepdaddy and stepbrothers add to their unappealing nature. Miz Lurleen’s huge blonde hair is hilarious, and Warhola’s depiction of the fairy godcow is sure to evoke laughter from anyone who sees it. Overall, the colorful and comical illustrations are sure to make this story a hit for read aloud time.

REVIEW EXCERPTS:

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (November 17, 1997):
“Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale… 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.”

From KIRKUS REVIEW (1997):
“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; that she's so appealingly whimsical makes it easy to accept the classic tale's inversions… Bubba and babe, hair as big as a Texas sun, ride off to a life of happy ranching, and readers will be proud to have been along for the courtship.”

CONNECTIONS:

Activities:
This book would make an excellent and fun addition to a unit of study on Cinderella. Students will love comparing and contrasting this hilarious and unique version with more traditional variants.

After reading this story, students could be encouraged to write their own silly version of Cinderella, with unique characters and a creative setting.

Students could also be encouraged to extend the story, writing about what happens next for Bubba and Miz Lurleen.

Other humorous Cinderella versions:
Lowell, Susan. 2001. CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA. Ill. .by Jane Manning. New York: HarperTrophy. ISBN 0064438643.

Johnston, Tony. 1998. BIGFOOT CINDERRRRRELLA. Ill. by James Warhola. New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399230211.