We were bowled over by a charming book-app called Alph and Betty’s Topsy Turvy World last December. Now it’s even easier to try it for yourself.

The iPad app from developer Electric Circus has been launched in a new, free version. Still aimed at 3-8 year-olds, it gives you the first rooms from the original story, with the idea being that if you like it, you can buy the full version.

The app is one of our favourites from recent months, telling the tale of two characters called Alph and Betty, who are exploring their house and garden.

Your children’s job is to help them collect objects and play dozens of mini-games, all based on letters of the alphabet. So it’s a playful way of exploring the alphabet, although it always feels like a story (or a game) rather than homework.

The production values are great too: it has a distinctive graphical style, with Alph and Betty loveable characters right from the start.

Alph and Betty’s Topsy Turvy World: Free Edition is a free download for iPad from Apple’s App Store. And if you fancy the full version, Alph and Betty’s Topsy Turvy World costs £1.99.

Read about more alphabet apps for kids on Apps Playground, and check out our 100 Best iPad Apps of 2013 e-book – £1.99 from Apple’s iBooks Store