“How many of you are Celtics fans?’’ Wallace asked.
All 20 youngsters raised their hands.
“That’s good,’’ Wallace said.
Wallace then talked about the latest movies he has watched with his four children.
Then it was time for Wallace to recite from “Make Way for Ducklings.’’
Wallace, who signed a three-year contract with the Celtics, has been involved in similar reading activities in other cities.
“I’ve been doing it pretty much my whole career, with and without the NBA,’’ Wallace said. “It’s nothing new. It’s actually fun for me, to interact with kids - that’s my Achilles’ heel. I’m real big on kids and doing things with them.
“I know how it is. Every kid likes to be read to, or just even have an adult play with them, no matter if it’s little girls with a tea party or boys playing in the dirt, it’s all part of being a kid. It’s something we all went through.
“My wife and I, we do it sometimes. I’m there with my own kids sometimes. It’s our focus. It’s somewhat important because I wanted to continue what I did in Detroit and Portland, what I do in Philadelphia, North Carolina, and Washington, when I was there with the Bullets many moons ago.
“It’s something good, it’s something the kids look forward to, to have a professional athlete - no matter if it’s football, basketball, baseball - come to their school or their neighborhood and interact with them.’’
Wallace has been training with the Celtics in Waltham. But on this day, he was going for the full immersion tour of Boston, joining the youngsters on a Duck Boat ride.
“I don’t know too much about the city, I don’t know the best restaurants and all that stuff yet,’’ Wallace said. “But I’m pretty sure the guys on the team will tell me about that.
“I have no complaints. Everyone here has treated me with open arms. It’s been a good experience, and as far as the guys in the locker room, we can’t wait to get started.’’
Wallace is eager to plug into the local sports scene. He passed a quick quiz regarding the number of local professional teams.
