Arithmechicks Take Away: A Math Story

by Ann Marie Stephens, Jia Liu (Illustrator)

This playful picture book demonstrates key math concepts to children in a merry story featuring the Arithmechicks, ten math-loving chicks.

The Arithmechicks have invited their new friend Mouse for a sleepover. When Mama says it's time for bed, the clever chicks decide it's time to prolong the fun instead! During the story, readers are invited to count and take away during everyone's favorite game of hide-and-seek—and to find Mouse, who hides in a different place in each illustration -- until all settle down for bed in the warm, cozy conclusion. The book is the perfect introduction to essential math for young children and their caregivers. It includes a helpful glossary that defines the eight arithmetic strategies the chicks use throughout the story.

Genres: Picture Books, Mathematics, Subtraction, Animals, Counting, Childrens, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 10, 2022

About the author

Ann Marie Stephens is the author of numerous picture books including the ARITHMECHICKS series, the CATastrophe! series, SO MANY BOOKS, and more. She is a retired, award-winning elementary teacher with over 30 years in the classroom. Ann Marie’s poetry and literacy work has been featured in Bon Appetit Magazine and on NPR. She is represented by Emily Mitchell at Wernick & Pratt Agency. Visit her at www.annmariestephensbooks.com

Reviews

[Susan Eaddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly clever “take” on subtraction! At first glance it is a lively hide & seek as the chicks avoid bedtime. Kids will love spotting these mischievous chicks and their furry friend Mouse, in their hiding places. But look deeper. Confidence builds as young readers count the chicks and builds even more as simple subtraction concepts are introduced. But look deeper. As the subtraction problems become more complex, the delightful personalities of the Arithmechicks emerge through colorful & rambunctious illustrations. But look deeper. Each separate subtraction strategy is revealed in the chicks’ notepad shown on each page. Teachers will applaud the story elements that teach subtraction for every learning style. And the kids will adore the story with just the right amount of challenge!

[Abby Gross · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows a group of chicks who solve problems using subtraction. I enjoyed this book because of its fun and lighthearted approach to solving these math problems. The story gives the problems context and humor, which keeps it engaging and fun. The illustrations are great, and the problems are age-appropriate. One thing I dislike is that many of the problems are on the left side of the page, and the answers are on the right (they are on the same spread of pages). If I were to use this story for a read-aloud, I would cover the answers up with a Post-it note.

I would use this story as a read-aloud for a math lesson, stopping to let students solve each problem. This would be a very fun book to use as a read-aloud. It would also fit in a math center, where students can read it independently

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bold, realistic drawings make this math and chicken centered picture book visually appealing for toddlers through grade 2. Simple text is printed in a large, easy to read font and not only tells a great bedtime hide and seek story but has ample opportunity for listeners to practice subtraction as the 10 chicks become 7 or 5 or 2, ending with no chicks left seen and then the fun starts all over again. Great way to use kid-friendly visuals to practice counting whether this is read in a one on one or group setting. Stephens uses idiom, alliteration and some great vocabulary placed in a context rich environment, too.

Solid choice for home, school and public libraries serving the very youngest listeners through early elementary school.

Video read aloud by the author available online.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Arithmechicks play hide-and-seek and do subtraction. Like Arithmechicks Add Up: A Math Story, there are a wide variety of representations of subtraction shown in the illustrations, with explanations of each in the backmatter.

I found this one a little harder to see in the images what was going on/what should be counted, but it's still very possible. And I appreciate that the subtraction isn't happening just one at a time!

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this series is so adorable. In this installment, the chicks all hide when mama hen calls them for bedtime. As each chick finds a hiding place, you do the subtraction to determine how many still need to hide. I think once you understand that part, it's easier to follow along with the book (it's tricky because you can still see glimpses of the "hiding" chicks, so you have to remember not to count them. Also sometimes you're counting the chicks on one page, and other times counting the chicks on the whole spread, so that had me confused for a bit). I love that Mouse is there with them!

[Andria Rosenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a fresh new take (away ;-)) for bedtime. Ten energetic chicks & their friend mouse try to out wit Mama hen with subtraction distraction. A fun, before bedtime game that will help little chicks --and children --wind down at the end of the day. Who wins? Everyone with a warm, fluffy hug from Mama. Wonderfully, rich back matter will encourage kids to *play* with math. Adorable illustrations add layers to the game & expand the interaction with readers.

[Julie Abery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and educational. Ten little chicks and their friend mouse run Mama a merry dance as they play hide and seek before bedtime, because after all..."Bedtime - Chicks = A later bedtime!"
A great way to introduce the math concept of subtraction to kindergarten children. Ann Marie Stephens uses simple language to introduce the math concept and there are many other helpful and kid friendly strategies in Jia Liu's artwork, with more in the note at the end.

[Tim McCanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew taking away could be so fun? Ann Marie Stephen's ten sweet little chicks (and their mouse friend) introduce subtraction concepts with playful bedtime antics. It's a brilliant way to engage young mathematicians through story and character. Jia Liu's detailed illustrations will keep readers hunting for that ever illusive mouse, and the whole package adds up to a great book that works on many levels. Highly recommended.

[Diana Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun way to introduce the concept of subtraction! The illustrations are really cute and scratchy, as if painted on wood. Kids will have fun finding the "giggling beak" and the "two tails" and such as the chicks scramble to hide from Mama. Backmatter provides lots of useful math info such as creating number bonds and ten frames. Math activities galore. Take it away, Arithmechicks!

[Matt Forrest Esenwine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I think math is fun. Yes, I'm weird like that. But I realize it's not so much fun for most folks - especially kids - so that's why it's so wonderful to see a book like this! The "Arithmechick" books combine bouncy rhythm with a cute story and basic subtraction skills to create a perfect way to introduce math concepts to young ones. Definitely worth checking out!

[Sandy Brehl]

Fun sequel to the developing series of chicks who do math. In this case it is a bedtime book with lots of seek-and-find visual potential and effective language to model ways to consider the math concept of subtraction.
Back page indicates a variety of ways to support visualizing the relationships between whole/parts in subtraction number families.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to applaud a well-done picture book with a math theme! They are a wonderful, non-threatening way to introduce and/or reinforce math concepts a young child is learning. This is another book in the "math" series featuring these little chicks who are playing hide-n-seek and learning to subtract in this latest edition.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten clever chicks and friend mouse don't want to go to bed. The result is a fun rhyming story where the friends cleverly subtract themselves all around the coop. A great introduction to subtraction.

[Erin Dealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready or not--ARITHMECHICKS TAKE AWAY makes subtraction fun! With adorable art by Jia Liu, Stephens' latest is not only a perfect classroom companion book to ARITHMECHICKS ADD UP, but works as a #STEM bedtime book as well. Mouse adds an extra level of fun. (I love mouse's sleeping bag!)

[Melissa Stoller]

This book introduces young children to problem-solving math strategies in such a cute and clever way. Adorable chicks and their friend mouse have lots of adventures in this fun story. Back matter adds to the STEM learning.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute book demonstrates subtraction with a roomful of adorable chicks and Mama hen, too. This reminds me of the sort of book that would have been purchased for me as a kid who struggled with math.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Michelle Schaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

A barnyard game of hide and seek to reinforce math skills? Ann Marie Stephens is brilliant. My take away: A great educational book and all around fun read.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great way for young kids to learn basic math!

[Lauren Kerstein]

ARITHMECHICKS TAKE AWAY: A MATH STORY is clever, adorable, and chock-full of fantastic teaching strategies!

[Aimée Bissonette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book! Kids will love the story and the counting. What a fun way to introduce young readers to math concepts. Warm, fun art, too.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea is good but the book is too busy. The illustrations are busy, the text is busy, and too much is going on.

[Rebecca Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute mix of counting, addition, subtraction, and hide and seek with a storyline.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A playful introduction to subtraction.

[Craig Schorling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read for my son that is going into first grade. We had a good time solving the problems and counting the chicks as we read.

[Danette · Rating 2 out of 5]

9/6/21 Read with Julia

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great cross-curricular book to read with kids learning subtraction!

[Evelyn]

I thought this was a long shot for our 3s/4s class, but it was a readaloud hit with student participation. Lively illustrations.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows children subtraction strategies such as drawing a picture, using a number line, or making a number bond.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: chicks, math, subtraction, humor
Ages: K-2nd grade
Pub year: 2020