This booklet was written to help parents decide what to tell their child who has cancer. It recommends that parents tell their child the truth about his disease to prevent him from feeling guilty and to increase his cooperation with treatment. A gentle, open, and honest approach is suggested. Sections discuss who should tell the child and when the child should be told about his or her illness. It is noted that the amount of information and the way it is presented to the child will depend on his age and intellectual maturity. Guidelines are suggested for talking with children at different ages (birth to 2 years; 2- to 7-year-olds, 7- to 12-year-olds, 12-year-olds and older). Suggestions are made for keeping open communication between parent and child. Six questions that a child may ask are listed and guidelines are presented for each question to help prepare parents to answer them. A section on supporting the child with cancer lists 14 suggestions for reassuring the child during the period of cancer diagnosis and treatment. It is noted that many of the ideas presented can also be used in discussions with the child's siblings and friends. The toll-free number for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Information Service is given and free NCI publications are listed. (NB)