Genre 2-Traditional Literature Book 1

Traditional Literature Book Review

BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE

A Fractured Texas Tale

By:Helen Ketteman and Illustrated by: James Warhola

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


PLOT SUMMARY
In this lone star parody of Cinderella, the backdrop is set in the dusty land of Texas cattle ranches. This tale has creatively switched the main role to be portrayed by a hard working cowhand, named Bubba. Bubba lives on a ranch with his “wicked stepdaddy” and his “hateful and lazy” stepbrothers. Little does Bubba know, that a neighbor lady named Ms. Lurleen has decided to throw a ball in search for fella to share her love of ranching. Even though poor Bubba can’t go to the ball, he has spent all day helping his step family get ready. But never fear a "Fairy God Cow" is near. With the help from the Fairy God Cow, Bubba gets a chance to dance with Ms. Lurleen. But in typical Cinderella fashion, he changes back to his normal self on the stroke of midnight. He left only a dirty cowboy boot behind. "This boot is the boot of a real cowboy and the man I want to marry. An I aim to find him." Ms. Lureen sets out on a quest to find the mystery cowhand that fits the lone boot. Soon a glorious reunion takes place where Bubba and Lurleen ride off in a beautiful Texas sunset.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Ketteman’s writing is carried off with a true Texas flare. The readers are reacquainted with a familiar version of Cinderella that was created with her own unique, regional twist. Her writing exhibits an authentic southern dialect using clever dictations like, “bonked the bejeebers out of his bean” or using idioms such as ; “Getting darker than a black bull at midnight” or “Your’re as cute as a cow’s ear”. This crafted story will have the readers laughing out loud while cheering on the courtship of this two-stepping, Texas twosome.


James Warhola’s oil paintings introduces the reader to the cultural heritage of Texans with his larger than life images. He depicts this with illustrations of large stetson hats, big hair and the blue skies of the plains. He uses Texas critters to populate his pages and even hiding the magical “Fairy God Cow” on each page. The facial expressions of his characters tell a story in itself. His humor shines through, as he shows the character’s dogs dancing. His illustrations will keep readers coming back, excited about turning each page to see what they discover next.


REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred Review Publisher’s Weekly- Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale.


Horn Book Review- 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.


CONNECTIONS
This book is can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom:

-You can have the children create a wedding invitation to the marriage of Bubba and Lurleen using southern expressions and creative design shapes.

-This book has idioms carried through out and provides for a great mini-lesson about what idioms are and having the students share ones that they are familiar with.


Other Books:
Ketteman, Helen. Waynetta and the cornstalk: a Texas fairy tale. ISBN 0807586870

Johnston, Tony. Bigfoot Cinderrrrrella. ISBN 9780399230219