“Its fun to interact with the kids, who are really our biggest fans” said Brown, who read the book “Animal Babies” by Harry McNaught near the zebra exhibit.

Kirilenko read Ormerod’s book at the Elephant Encounter, while Boozer read “Z is for Zookeeper” by Roland and Marie Smith over by the camels.

“I think it sets a good example for the kids to show that despite their fame, the players still like to take time to read,” added Kirilenko. “I feel that it helps show the kids that reading is cool!”

The youngsters were impressed as well, as several of the students said they really enjoyed hearing the players read to them.

One of the students, Alisha, said that was her favorite part of the visit to Hogle Zoo. Her favorite animals to visit at the zoo, along with those of fellow Highland Park students Alex, Chase and Payton, were the elephants, which they were able to see up close.

Brad Parkin, Associate Director of Public Relations for Hogle Zoo, said this was a great opportunity for the children.

“To able to combine an educational experience with a chance to meet and hear Jazz players in this kind of a setting is a wonderful idea.” Parkin added that the zoo hosts over sixty thousand students and their teachers during the course of a year.

For one of the newest members of the Jazz, it was Brown’s first visit to a zoo since he was in middle school. “My favorite animals to check out at the zoo are the snakes, so that I can try to overcome my fear of them.”