How to Repair Damaged Children's Books

Removing Dirt and Markings

• 1

  Sweep debris off the page with a clean paintbrush.

• 2

  Rub a white eraser over the dirty and marked areas of the page. Do this lightly so that you do not tear the page.

• 3

  Sweep the eraser debris off the page with a clean paintbrush.

• 4

  Repeat steps 2 to 3 as necessary.

Repairing Torn Pages

• 5

  Place wax paper under the torn page so that you do not get glue on the other pages.

• 6

  Cut out a piece of rice paper that is 1/4 inch larger than the tear.

• 7

  Cover the rice paper with a thin layer of acid-free glue and place it on the tear. Lightly brush a clean paintbrush over the rice paper to smooth out any folds or bubbles.

• 8

  Repeat steps 1 to 3 on the other side of the torn page, so that both sides of the tear are repaired.

• 9

  Close the book and place it under a heavy box or pile of books and leave it overnight. Carefully remove the wax paper the next day.

Repairing a Damaged Spine

• 10

  Place acid-free glue on a knitting needle and run it down the spine between the cover and binding of the book. Ensure that a thin layer of the glue covers the length of the spine. Wipe away any excess glue with a paper towel.

• 11

  Wrap wax paper around the book and then place three elastic bands evenly spaced around the book to keep the spine in place.

• 12

  Allow the glue to dry overnight. Remove the elastic bands and wax paper the next day.