The great take-away
Louise Mathews
The great take-away
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Louise Mathews
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Crunch! The soft snort of a lazy hog fills the air as the minus sign turns into a mischievous pig on a sneaky adventure. Watch as this clever swine subtracts numbers and steals more than just snacks — but what will happen when the numbers start to disappear?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This playful rhyming story introduces early readers to subtraction through a fun and engaging character—a lazy hog who uses the minus sign as his symbol. Suitable for children aged 5-8, it combines basic arithmetic concepts with imaginative storytelling to support math learning in an entertaining way.
Why we rated The great take-away 6C
The great take-away is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 46 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The great take-away works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate The great take-away as 6C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, The great take-away explores subtraction, arithmetic, pigs, robbers and outlaws, and stories in rhyme — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about subtraction, arithmetic, pigs.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Subtraction Activities
Flash Kids Editors
Subtraction Activities
Flash Kids Editors
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 039607846X
- Pages
- 46
- Publisher
- Putnam Juvenile
- Published
- 1980
- Type
- Fiction