Acknowledging the problems with and the need for family communication, this booklet shows how increasing family reading can improve family communication and bring parent and child closer. It is not designed to teach a child how to read, but will show parents how to help their child become a better and more enthusiastic reader, by experiencing together first-hand the many pleasures and uses of reading. This "how-to" booklet includes easy techniques to prompt book discussions between parent and child; guidelines for selecting books; how to make it a two-way discussion; and deals with motivation, values, and how to make it fun. The first chapter shows parents how to use books to open up communication with their child. Chapter 2 talks about finding time to read, and chapter 3 discusses motivating a child. The last chapter discusses how to determine a child's interests and select books that will match those interests. A final set of guidelines brings together some of the most important points to keep in mind while reading to and with children: Guidelines for Reading Aloud with Children of All Ages; General Guidelines for Book-Sharing Conversations; and Guidelines for Action. (SR)