This book, one of a series, focuses on how parents can communicate better with children and help them improve their speaking and listening skills. The message of the series urges parents and children to spend time together, talk about stories, and learn together. The first part of each book presents stories appropriate for varying grade levels, both younger children and those in grades three and four, and each book presents stories on a particular theme. The Read-along Stories in this book are: "Gwendolyn with Her Glasses On" (Doris Orget); "The Box in the Barn" (Barbara Eckfeld Conner); and "The Grindelstark" (Pierre J. Moesser). On an accompanying audiotape, the stories are performed as radio dramas, allowing children to read along. The second half of each book provides ideas and guidelines for parents, as well as activities and books for additional reading. This book suggests six ways to improve conversation between parents and children: (1) be interested; (2) avoid dead-end questions; (3) extend conversation; (4) share your thoughts; (5) define and reflect feelings; and (6) observe cues. Contains 32 references. (EF)