Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale by Helen Ketteman

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

Plot Summary
This "fractured tale" about a kind-hearted cowhand is enchantingly told by Ketteman. The story, an adaptation of Cinderella, is fairly predictable except the roles are reversed. Bubba, a "real cowboy" is bossed around by his evil step-father and step-brothers. When Miz Lurleen, "the purtiest rancher in Texas," decides she needs a real cowboy to share her love of ranching with and she throws a ball to find him. Bubba's step-father and step-brothers are invited, but of course Bubba is expected to help get them ready and then sit at home and wait for their return.
When all of a sudden, from the dark clouds that have formed in the sky, Bubba's fairy godcow arrives with a bolt of lightening! With a swish of the fair godcow's tail, Bubba is transformed into "the handsomest cowboy" before the other cattle's eyes. The fairy godcow also arranges for Bubba to ride in on a "beautiful white stallion" that was once a steer. Before Bubba rides off to enjoy his night, he is warned by his fairy godcow that the magic will wear off at midnight. Bubba doesn't get his chance to dance with Miz Lurleen until almost midnight and she thinks he is as "cute as a cow's ear." Bubba's step-father and step-brothers do not recognize him but are thoroughly upset about all of the attention he is getting from Miz Lurleen. As they are dancing, the clock struck midnight and Bubba is transformed back into his normal self right in front of everyone's eyes! He runs away into the night on his horse-turned-steer, leaving a cowboy boot behind while Miz Lurleen calls for him to wait. The next day she rides from ranch to ranch with the lone boot, seeing who it will fit. When Bubba rides up she knows right away that he is her missing cowboy. Bubba and Miz Lurleen ride "off into the sunset" together, "happily ever after."

Critical Analysis
This story follows the themes and events of a traditional Cinderella story, however the roles are reversed and the setting, characters, and details are all western. Bubba's chores include shoeing and bathing horses, his fairy is cow, and he loses a cowboy boot. Ketteman uses rich language that adds to the western theme. Miz Lurleen seeks someone who is "cute as a cow's ear," Bubba is "much obliged," when Mis Lurleen gives him back his boot, and Bubba's stepdaddy and stepbrothers "threw chicken fits."
James Warhola's illustrations are oil painted on canvas and include delightful details for the reader to search for. The fairy godcow appears in many of the pictures, her pink halo the only clue to her presence. There is also a yellow dog who follows Bubba around and a white dog with black spots who follows his evil family around. Miz Lurleen also owns a white poodle who dances with Bubba's dog at the ball. The paintings also include many details that follow the western theme of the story, including cactus, armadillos,and all the decorations in Miz Lurleen's home. The animals are hilariously expressive and add wonderful charm to the story, even the moon is watching in shock as Bubba rides away from Miz Lurleen just after midnight.

Review Excerpts
Starred Review in Publisher's Weekly: "Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas Kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale."
On the Reader's Choice Awards List in 8 states

Connections
*Share other versions and adaptations of Cinderella
*Have children write their own adaptation of Cinderella
*Discuss the role reversal in the story