REVIEW
1. BIBLIOGROPHY: Ketteman, Helen. 1997. BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE: A FRACTURED TEXAS TALE. Ill. by James Warhola. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590255061.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
This fractured Cinderella story featuring a cowboy prince in the hot and dried Texas ranch where he is bossed around and mistreated by his stepbrothers Milton and Dwayne. Warhola is so creative and magical to portray a cow as a “fairy godcow” to take Bubba to the ball given by a rich lady rancher with a full head of tall blonde hair, and fingers glowing with jewels. Miz Laurleen owns ``the biggest spread west of the Brazos'' and is lonely. She wants a true cowboy to help her tend to the ranch. This fractured Cinderella is hilarious and full of surprises; it has this funny Texas colloquial speech that keeps the reader laughing, especially, when Laurleen mentions that she is looking for a cowboy “…cute as a cow’s ear.” As the magic continues, blonde hair Miz Laurleen dressed in cowgirl attire chooses Bubba to dance with while the rest of the cowboys try to figure out who the cowboy is and the magic runs out, Bubba has to run away from the ball. As most Cinderella’s stories, Miz Laurleen tracks Bubba down and they take off riding in to the Texas sunset leaving the Step dad, Wayne and Milton behind.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The modern fractured Cinderella folktale is Texan, entertaining, with cartoon like characters dressed as cowboys, and a rich Texan female. The dry setting and ranch full of chores compliment the text that keeps the reader wondering about the next surprise. Keeteman and Warhola’s fractured tall tale brings out modern times to portray women as independent and in charge of their own affairs. This Cinderella story with a Texas flavor is a delight.
4. EXCERPTS
School Library Journal
This is a fun-filled story with more hyperbole than a Christmas turkey has stuffing.
CONNECTIONS:
Comparing and contrasting versions of Cinderella can be an informative excursion into literature and culture.
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