I recently bought a roll of self-adhesive laminating film that I used to repair an old children's book pretty successfully. I like the roll because it can accomodate odd shapes and sizes as opposed to the sheets. You could laminate the pages, re-punch the holes and then thread it back onto the binding.

You could scan it into your computer, along with some photos of your Dad when he was a child and photos your daughter, then print it in a new book format at blurb.com (or any other photo book printing place). You could have you Dad write in there about how he got the book or any special memories he has about it. That way you're incorporating your father's memory and including your child in the story. Then record your Dad reading the story and include the CD in the back of the book in a self-sticking sleeve.

I would do something like Darcy Miller's work at Martha Stewart:

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/family-history-in-the-making-darcys-frames-and-scrapboxes?lpgStart=1&currentslide=9&currentChapter=1#ms-global-breadcrumbs

Wouldn't a childhood picture of your father or a picture of grandad/granddaughter look cute?

Before framing, I would scan in the pages and then you can print them onto adhesive paper and put into a blank boardbook. That way when it gets loved too much and starts falling apart, you can print out another one.

What a great idea, KerriM!

Wonderful ideas posted. I love the scrapbox chodge linked to.

If having the book be readable is the primary goal, an alternative to laminating might be disassembling it and placing the pages in an album. You can get a lot of different size page protectors from scrapbooking suppliers (such as these: http://store.scrapbook.com/wermekealre.html). This way, if the book evolves into a family heirloom and you want to have it fully repaired by a book binder, you haven’t altered the paper.

If copyright has expired (and that may be the case with an old book), you could also scan each of the pages and have a simple photobook printed. Not quite the same as holding the original, but different from buying a new printing.

Buy a copy for your daughteron eBay for $15!

I work in the conservation lab for a library, so I totally understand the desire to preserve this wonderful book while still being able to read and enjoy it. I would suggest NOT using any kind of laminanting film, as this doesn't prevent the paper from deteriorating, and it is impossible to remove.

The suggestion of digitizing the pages and having it reprinted with added content is great, and not very expensive. If you chose to do this, I would also recommend storing the original book in an archival box (http://www.lightimpressionsdirect.com/ ). Also, if you chose to disasemble to book into scrapbook, make sure the pages materials are archival, and that the original pages can be easily removed.

If you wanted to use the original book, I would suggest locating a book conservator in your area (http://www.conservation-us.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=495 ). Although this can be expensive, conservation work can greatly prolong the life of a book. Perhaps your daughter could read this same volume to her grandchildren!

wow! some great suggestions! thanks, everyone! LOL arcgrrl - ebay to the rescue! I had been wondering about a blurb-type book but love the frame and family photo ideas too.

Thanks, knees. Great professional tips!

arcgrrl... that would have been my first step also (very cool that it's available btw). i think all of these ideas are wonderful.