# Main Idea - Short Texts — Skills Development for Readers

> Educational app for children to improve reading comprehension by identifying main ideas. (iPhone/iPad app by Janine Toole.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/main-idea-short-texts/id916391506 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Janine Toole](https://appshunter.io/developer/839832427)
- Category: Education, Games, Family
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 2.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.2 · 28 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-10-31
- Data updated: 2026-07-23
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/main-idea-short-texts/id916391506/reviews.md

## What is Main Idea?

** Happy Frog Apps are featured on FunEducationalApps.com. TeachersWithApps.com, Appolicious.com, iHeartThisApp.com **

'Main Idea-Short Texts' helps kids who have trouble with reading comprehension. Identifying the main idea is a key part of reading comprehension as it allows you to figure out ‘what a text is about'.

'Main Idea -Short Texts' builds this comprehension skill step-by-step until mastery. 

Accolades for the first app in the Main Idea series...

***** 5 Stars - Thank you for this app!  Other software I’ve used has moved too quickly for my son.  This one worked! 

***** 5 Stars  - This app is one the best education apps I have used with my little one. It really helps to improve his reading abilities. He is obsessed with passing the levels and it never let him disappointed. One of the few apps that worth to upgrade to premium version.

'Main Idea - Short Texts' is targeted to children in Grades 2-5 who can read the words, but don't understand what they read.  Beginning readers in earlier grades can also benefit from the targeted skill development.

The focus of 'Main Idea - Short Texts' is teaching kids how to identify the main idea of a paragraph. The skill is built incrementally using visual guides.

Key Benefits:

- Builds comprehension skills step-by-step until mastery. 

- Incremental learning. New levels are unlocked only when your child is ready.

- Frustration-free learning. Your child will always be guided to the correct answer.

- Fun and engaging Reward Center to increase motivation.

- Easy parental review. Just check out the stars to see how your child is doing.

- Content designed by professional teachers and researchers.

- Advanced levels include timers to ensure fluency. Research shows fluency in the foundation skills is critical to reading comprehension.

- Can be used independently (just hand it over: your child will know what to do!) or with a therapist/parent for reading intervention.

-  Provides extensive reporting for up to 10 students to suit the needs of parents, teachers and therapists.

Our apps are designed for and tested by typical and special needs children. Testers include children with Autism and other special needs. Our apps work for them!

To evaluate the app, download the free version, which has 4 free levels. Additional levels and additional players can be accessed with in-app purchase. If you prefer no in-app purchases, download the School Edition of this app.

While you're thinking about reading, check out our other apps at www.HappyFrogApps.com. 

We take customer service very seriously! If you ever have a problem or find that we've missed something, contact us at our website and we will do our best to fix the problem. 

We collect NO private information in our app. None!  Our apps do not allow unrestricted web access.

## Key features

- Step-by-step comprehension skill building
- Incremental learning with unlocked levels
- Frustration-free guided learning
- Engaging reward center
- Parental review and reporting
- Content designed by teachers and researchers
- Timed levels for fluency development

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/main-idea-short-texts/id916391506/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Frustrating

*2017-05-05*

I bought several of these educational apps. This one is so specific that students are having a hard time answering the questions correctly and so am I.  It's very disheartening to get xxxxxxxxx so many x's in a row because the app is full of 'gotcha' answers.  This was an expensive bundle to have so many glitches in it.  My kids don't want to play this one at all now, because it makes them feel dumb.  Pretty disappointing- try having an unfamiliar adult play it and see if they can get it in one go. If an adult can't a kid will struggle too- it's not a teaching moment if the questions and answers are inconsistent. Ugh.

**Developer response:** Hi, thanks for your feedback and we're sorry that the app didn't meet your needs. If you have time, we'd love for you to contact us via our website so that we can understand more about your experience. (www.HappyFrogApps.com)

### 5/5 — By best_behaviour :)

*2015-12-09*

Great app! I also have 'Main Idea'. Both are great tools in teaching the concept of the main idea. The full version is definitely worth it :)

### 4/5 — Great app!

*2015-09-14*

Great app. Really enjoy the feature of "unlocking" to get to the next level. It keeps the students motivated.

## Frequently asked questions about Main Idea

### What is the main focus of Main Idea - Short Texts?

Main Idea - Short Texts focuses on teaching children how to identify the main idea of a paragraph. This skill is crucial for improving overall reading comprehension and understanding what a text is about.

### What age group is Main Idea - Short Texts designed for?

The app is primarily targeted towards children in Grades 2-5. However, beginning readers in earlier grades can also benefit from its targeted skill development.

### How does Main Idea - Short Texts help children learn?

It builds comprehension skills step-by-step using visual guides and incremental learning, ensuring new levels are unlocked only when the child is ready. The app also features a frustration-free guided learning approach.

### Does Main Idea - Short Texts have ads?

No, Main Idea - Short Texts does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application designed for focused learning without interruptions.

### What is the price of Main Idea - Short Texts?

The app is priced at $6.99. This provides access to all features and content designed by professional teachers and researchers.

### Can Main Idea - Short Texts be used by children with special needs?

Yes, the app is designed and tested by typical and special needs children, including those with Autism. It has been found to work effectively for them.

### How often is Main Idea - Short Texts updated?

The latest version is 2.4, and the app was last updated on February 28, 2025. Updates typically focus on improving features and content based on user feedback and educational research.

### What devices are compatible with Main Idea - Short Texts?

Main Idea - Short Texts is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed to provide a seamless learning experience across these Apple platforms.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.4 — 2025-02-28

Keeping everything running smoothly!

### 2.3 — 2022-01-31

Updated libraries for a smoother experience.

### 2.2 — 2017-06-29

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Minor tweaks :-)

### 2.1 — 2015-09-22

Oops. Some users didn't realize that a sentence could be about more than one thing!  We've made this clearer so that you don't think we are marking you incorrectly!

### 2.0 — 2015-01-14

You asked, we delivered!  

In this version we introduce a new student management system. Detailed reports show student progress. You can add up to 10 students.

We have also changed the look of the app to appeal to a wider age range. No more worrying about showing your older student a 'kiddy' app.

What's the same?  High quality incremental learning to help your learners improve their reading comprehension skills!  Get started now

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## More apps by Janine Toole

- [WH Expert 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wh-expert-2/id839832424)
- [Inference Ace:](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inference-ace/id866920724)
- [Inference Clues: Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inference-clues-lite/id869101735)
- [Inference Ace](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inference-ace/id875998338)
- [Inference Clues](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inference-clues/id877775935)
- [Main Idea -Sentences](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/main-idea-sentences/id895683482)

All apps by Janine Toole: https://appshunter.io/developer/839832427

## Related topics

[main idea](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/main-idea)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-23.*