Genre 2 Traditional Literature: Cinderella Review

Bubba the Cowboy Prince

1. BIBLOGRAPY
Ketteman, Helen. 1997. BUBBA THE COWBOY PRINCE. Ill by James Warhola. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0-590-25506-1.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Cowboy Bubba is bossed around the family ranch by his cruel stepdaddy and his downright mean stepbrothers. He never says a word. One day Miz Lurleen , a prettiest little rancher in Texas, throws a ball to meet her a feller. Bubba has to stay home. But with the help of his fairy godcow and a little southern magic Lurleen finds the prince she's always dreamed of.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
"Once a strapping young feller named Bubba lived on a ranch..." is the start of this funny southern twist on the Cinderella fairytale. The illustrations are colorful, delightful and fun to look at. Warhola, the illustrator, tends to shine a big spotlight on how things are done big in Texas. This is evident by the "big as the yellow sun" hairdo worn by Miz Lurleen. The Texas draw adds an extra sense of humor to this story. The text is easy to read and will keep you laughing. Even if you are not a Texan you will be "downright" floored by statements such as "strapping young feller" and "purtiest and richest gal." Ketteman and Warhola combined creative use of hyperbole gives this story an extra punch. It'll keep the readers coming back for more and more. Although geared for ages 5-8, this book is a must read for the entire family. It will really "rope" you in!

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
"Rustler lingo and illustrations chockablock with Texas kitsch make this ranch-spun Cinder-fella a knee-slappin' tale."
Publisher's Weekly
"A Cinderella parody features the off-the-wall, whang-dang Texas hyperbole of Ketteman..."
Kirkus Reviews

5.CONNECTIONS
Possible Classroom Lessons:
1. Read aloud another version of Cinderella and have students to compare and contrast the two books.
2. Have students to role play this book.
3. Great lesson on adjectives. After reading this book have students to list all of the adjectives.
4. Introduce lesson on hyperbole.
5. Have students to write their own version of Cinderella.

Story in Action:
Theatre Palisades Youth Program will present 7 performances of Bubba the Cowboy Prince. For more information contact varelac@aol.com.