First Lady Laura Bush with the help of NBA and WNBA players kicked off the National Book Festival. Mitchell Layton/NBA Photos

Players from the NBA, WNBA and NBA Legends played an important role in the inaugural National Book Festival that took place in Washington, D.C., the weekend of Sept 7-9.

Hosted by First Lady Laura Bush and sponsored by the Library of Congress, the festival featured world famous authors, readings, music, storytelling, and book-signings for children, adults, and families.

On Friday, Orlando Magic All-Star forward Grant Hill and WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie participated in a special reading event with Mrs. Bush and 20 children at the Library of Congress.

Philadelphia's Dikembe Mutombo participated in reading events. Mitchell Layton/NBA Photos

On Saturday, the festivities featured a number of players participating in reading events on the East Lawn of the U.S. Capitol with kids. Among them were: Dikembe Mutombo (Philadelphia 76ers), Elton Brand (L.A. Clippers), Michael Curry (Detroit Pistons), Jahidi White (Washington Wizards), Theo Ratliff (Atlanta Hawks), Greg Anthony (Chicago Bulls), Pat Garrity (Orlando Magic), Lisa Leslie (L.A. Sparks), Jackie Stiles (Portland Fire), Nikki McCray (Washington Mystics), Nykesha Sales (Orlando Miracle), DeLisha Milton (L.A. Sparks), Nate "Tiny" Archibald (head coach of the NBDL's Fayetteville Patriots) and Sam Vincent (head coach for the NBDL's Mobile Revelers).

The NBA's involvement in this event is just one of the important initiatives of the league's Read to Achieve program.