The Next Chapter Celebrates 3rd Anniversary with Release of Book by Post-Secondary Students
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Kayla Cabrera, dressed as the Purple Lady reads "Turning Pages Together," which was launched at The Next Chapter's 3rd anniversary celebration. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, hosted a reading of the book written and illustrated by West Hartford’s post-secondary students in celebration of the store’s third anniversary.
The third anniversary of The Next Chapter, 13 South Main Street, was celebrated with a book launch on Oct. 4, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
Exactly three years ago to the date, the opening of The Next Chapter was celebrated with a ribbon cutting, and there was joy, and excitement, and eager anticipation, about ways in which the used book store would not only give new life to old books but also help West Hartford Public Schools’ post-secondary students gain occupational skills to obtain future employment.
By all measures, The Next Chapter has been a resounding success, and has become a beloved institution in West Hartford Center. Its operations have expanded to include the sale of items created by students who have formed micro-businesses – including dog treats, journals, friendship bracelets, and more.
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Now, the students themselves have written and illustrated a book about their experience, which 19-year-old Kayla Cabrera read aloud – in a British accent and other appropriate character voices – to the crowd that packed the store in celebration of the third anniversary.
Dressed as the “Purple Lady,” Kayla introduced “Turning Pages Together,” the story of the origin of the store, which she helped write and illustrate with several other students who contributed to both the story and the drawings. The idea for the book came from Store Manager Nancy Pereau, who stumbled on a book about a bookstore, told from the perspective of the bookstore, at “Shakespeare and Company” while in Paris, but she said the students took it from there with the help of a kit called “Student Treasures.”
Kayla Cabrera, who created the character of the Purple Lady and provided the drawing in the book, holds a copy of “Turning Pages Together,” which was written and illustrated by West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“The students ran with it with the idea that it would be about the skeleton and the dog telling the story because he could run to the school,” Pereau said. They named the main characters Jack and Bean – after the fairytale “Jack and the Beanstalk.” The Purple Lady, a fairy, gives them life on one night during the Halloween season.
The third anniversary of The Next Chapter was celebrated with a book launch on Oct. 4, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kayla said it was a challenge to speak in a British accent, and spent a good amount of time practicing. The book was actually published in May, but the launch was delayed – which Kayla said was fitting since it coincided with the season and the store’s third anniversary.
“Turning Pages Together” is available in hardcover and paperback at The Next Chapter – along with seasonal books and gently used fiction and books about many other topics that have been curated and organized by the students, who also work in the store.
Nero Kitchen, a European-style coffee cafe which opened last week right next door, is already a supporter of the neighboring business, with a bookshelf full of volumes loaned to them from the shop. They are also offering a free coffee to those who donate a book.
The third anniversary of The Next Chapter was celebrated with a book launch on Oct. 4, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Next Chapter, located at 13 South Main Street, West Hartford, sells used books and other items and is run by the West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The third anniversary of The Next Chapter was celebrated with a book launch on Oct. 4, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kayla Cabrera, dressed as the Purple Lady reads “Turning Pages Together,” which was launched at The Next Chapter’s 3rd anniversary celebration. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kayla Cabrera holds a copy of “Turning Pages Together,” which was written and illustrated by West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“Turning Pages Together” was written and illustrated by West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kayla Cabrera signs a copy of “Turning Pages Together” for a girl who attended the book launch at The Next Chapter. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“Turning Pages Together” was written and illustrated by West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Nancy Pereau, store manager of The Next Chapter, with Owen, one of the students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
“Turning Pages Together” was written and illustrated by West Hartford Public Schools post-secondary students. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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