Tragic note from a father to his daughter found in second-hand book

The book was discovered in a second-hand book store in Melbourne. Now the new owners are trying to find the father and daughter it belonged to. Photos / Facebook

A mum and daughter are on the hunt for the owner of a children's book found in a op shop after they discovered a heartbreaking message inside.

A Melbourne mother-daughter duo are searching for the owner of a book they bought from the local op shop after they discovered a very important message for someone written inside.

St Kilda mum, Natalie Coleman, bought the book 5 Minute Princess Stories for her daughter Leni in early May from a second-hand shop.

When the two sat down to read the book they found a heartbreaking message left from a father to his daughter, the previous owner of the book.

"Dear Alexis. If you're getting this without me, it's because unfortunately my circumstances got too grim for me to give it to you yourself," the note read.

"You need to know I always loved you with all my heart.

"You were the first thing I thought about when I woke up in the morning and the last thing I thought about at night.

"Love Dad (Barry)."

The handwritten message to Alexis from her father "Barry". Photos / Facebook

After reading the note Ms Coleman knew that the book probably meant a lot to someone and has been trying to find the girl mentioned in the letter.

She shared pictures of the book and the handwritten message to her personal Facebook page and a few local groups in the hope of finding Alexis.

"I recently picked up this book from a St Kilda Op-shop for my daughter," she explained in the caption.

"The message just breaks my heart … if you know Alexis (Dad named Barry) I would love to return your book."

The majority of people have been supportive of Ms Coleman's search by sharing the post and leaving supportive comments.

According to the Herald Sun she has since returned to the op shop to ask who donated the book but was informed that it was impossible to trace who had dropped it off.

"As much as we love the book, we'd like to see it returned to the little girl whose dad wrote the letter," Ms Coleman said.

"Any young person would treasure these words from their father."