Simon died in 2005, but his dream has come to fruition with the publication of his book The Delights of Reading today - on what would have been his 86th birthday.

Daughter Ruth Benson, of Whitefield, told the Jewish Telegraph: "He adored reading. After he gained a degree in humanities - when he was 71 - he decided he was going to write a book to encourage his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to read and to get them away from the television and computers.

"It is a kind of manual which focuses on certain genres, including the classics, detective stories, horror and science fiction.

"We felt sad that it had never been published."

But in stepped Ruth's sister Karen Abramson and husband Martin.

Karen, who lives in Herzliya, said: "The book he had written was still in its raw form and we decided to pay for it to be published.

"But an editor at The Book Guild loved it so much, he decided to publish it. We are very proud and emotional about it.

"I am thrilled that my wonderful father's words are going to be in a book - it is something special and quite beyond belief."

Simon, a trained pharmacist, was born in Blackpool, the son of a Dutch Jewish violinist.

The family eventually settled in Liverpool and after marrying Leila (nee Hyman), they had three daughters - Ruth, Karen and Shelly.

Living in the Liverpool suburb of Allerton, he was heavily involved with Greenbank Synagogue.

On moving to Manchester, Simon and Leila became members of Whitefield Hebrew Congregation.

Ruth said: "He could read several books at once and used to tell his daughters the most fabulous ghost stories.

"He was an educated man, but by no means an educational snob.

"Dad enjoyed the simple things in life and was always happy - he had a positive attitude to life.

"He used to go into local schools, including King David, to talk to the children about books."

And proceeds from the book will go to the Ohr Meir and Bracha charity, in Jerusalem, which supports terrorist victims.

Karen, who is heavily involved with the charity, said: "His view was that books can only enhance our lives, and he felt that his grandchildren didn't read enough.

"It was with that in mind that he decided to write this book to enable them to make the right choices and to hopefully tempt them into reading.

"Our mum is so thrilled too - she was the one who sat with him while he worked so hard on writing it.

"It would have been a great birthday present for him."

His daughters are also hoping to send the books to local libraries.