Big Baby's Bar-B-Que - WKTV Journal

By Sarah McCarville, GRPL Main Library

Great for a storytime read-aloud with the grandkids! Colorful, expressive illustrations by Henry Cole are a delightful addition to this title which will help kids conquer their fears.

Big Chickens is the story of four fearful chickens who seem to talk themselves into a series of predicaments while trying to escape from a wolf. The chickens are afraid to go home, afraid to jump, afraid of cows, afraid of the water, afraid of caves, afraid of big, hairy animals. Will they remain afraid of the wolf?

This predicable tale has some great repetition which invites participation, perfect for preschoolers who will quickly learn the routine. They’ll love to repeat “Me, too!” “Me, three!” “Me, four!” after the first chicken asks about some hypothetical situation. Once a question is asked (What if we fall in the ditch? What if the cows chase us?) you turn the page and find the chickens have to find their way out of that very situation.

The story would be a great discussion starter for preschoolers and their caregivers to help with their fears. Showing how the chickens eventually see how the wolf isn’t necessarily the big bully that everyone thinks he is will allow children to put themselves in the chickens’ place.

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Because of the positive feedback to having food trucks at its summer concert series and Fourth of July event, the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department has decided to host a Cornhole Tournament and Food Truck Rally Saturday, Oct. 15.

“Since the food trucks and the Parks and Recreation Department had such a busy summer schedule, we decided to plan something for the Fall instead,” said Parks and Recreation Marketing and Events Coordinator Laura Barbrick. “We thought it might be fun to have another activity to draw an audience, so we came up with a combination Cornhole Tournament and Food Truck Rally.”

The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Kentwood City Hall Lawn, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Live music will be provided by Just Cuz and Barbrick noted that just like the concert series, guests are welcome to bring their own beer or wine to the event.

Seven area food trucks have signed up for the event so far. Those trucks are:

Big Baby’s Bar-B-Que: Just as the name implies, this truck offers barbecue: chicken, spare ribs, rib tips and Big Baby’s Gourmet sausages along with baked beans, cole slaw and potato salad. Full rack of ribs is $23 with prices going down from there.

Blue Spoon Catering: Operated by Goodwill, this food truck offers a wide variety of menu options from a classic Tex-Mex to its signature “Kabob Bash” menu. There is also unique side dishes such as vegan black bean hash, tomato bruschetta, and the truck’s signature spinach and artichoke dip. Menu option prices range from $3 to $9. Special dietary options are also available.

Gettin’ Fresh: This truck features a bacon burger and beer brats from Bob’s Butcher Block in Jenison. Bob mixes the bacon right into the ground beef. Also availabe are turkey pesto panini and Italian beef panini along with Nantucket breads, an assortment of salads, a variety of snacks such as the Nantucket Soft German-Style Pretzel and assorted desserts.

Patty Matters: This truck offers a variety of gourmet burgers such as the Señorita Cha Cha with a chorizo patty, cheddar cheese, chipotle aioli and back bean salsa wrapped in a tortilla and grilled along with traditional burgers such as the All American classic a burger with American cheese, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. Also available are variety of sides such as sweet potato fries and potato bombs and deserts such as salted caramel pretzel bars.

Rix Stix Pronto Pups:This truck offers Pronto Pups, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and French fries for $3 to $5.50. Combos that include chips and drink are $8 and $9. Also available are deep fried Twinkies (two for $5) and deep fried Oreos (six for $5).

River City Cup & Cake: We’ll call this the desert truck as it offers a variety of sweet treats such as cookies, brownies, Danishes, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, chocolate croissants, and an apple frangipane tort. Also available is a variety of coffees, teas, hibiscus and hopps sodas. Note, nothing at this truck is more than $4.

Two Scotts Barbecue: This truck offers pulled pork, sliced brisket, pulled chicken, burnt ends and sausage in both “Just Meats” and sandwich offerings. There is also St. Louis ribs and jumbo wings. A Scott #3 Combo features three meat choices, two sides, bread, pickles and a drink for $16. Sides range from pimento mac and cheese to cheddar biscuit and homemade tots. And of course there are plenty of sweet treats.

The event is free and open to the public. There is a $20 fee per team (of two players) to participate in the Cornhole Tournament. If you are interested in participating in the tournament, you can register online at www.yourkprd.org or call 616-656-5270. Prizes will be award to the winning teams. There will be some other yard games as well.

For more information, visit www.yourkprd.org.