http://breadboardconfessions.blogspo...rfaces-to.html
may be useful? It might be worth contacting him, as he's building this to help his Sister, so you could perhaps compare notes.
I do intend to investigate the console port, but haven't as yet, as I haven't thought of a good way to bring out the 3 wires cable through the case.
I imagine forward & back page is your main goal so your Dad can just work through a book, but more switch control would be useful?