As a physical therapist, Elizabeth Stryker makes a living helping others.
So when an unexpected opportunity came along to help in a less conventional way, she couldn’t pass it up.
The Bernardsville, New Jersey, resident was tapped to illustrate a new kind of children’s book written by her friend Emily Capuria, a psychotherapist and coach.
The twist? Stryker, who paints and draws as a hobby, had never illustrated professionally before.
“Emily called me and said she had this idea for a book about how to help kids with breathing and mindfulness,” says Stryker, a mother of two. “When she asked me if I wanted to illustrate it, I said yes."
“But when I hung up the phone, I was like, I don't know how to do this,” she adds with a laugh. “I almost called her back and said, never mind.”
Despite her initial hesitation, Stryker realized she wasn’t entirely out of her depth. She’s loved art since childhood and incorporates it into her work when she can. As a physical therapist, she often draws figures to help patients visualize exercises.
The more she thought about it, the more Stryker realized that combining mindfulness and art—two of her greatest passions—into a children’s book was a perfect fit.
“I teach adults how to breathe and be mindful of what's happening in their bodies, and I thought, if I can teach kids, this is so cool because they'll be so much further ahead,” shares Stryker, who owns Pelvic Stability PT in Bedminster, a practice focused on pelvic and women’s health.
To prepare, Stryker taught herself how to use Procreate, a digital illustration app, and drew inspiration from Mo Willems’ “Elephant and Piggie” series.
“The simplicity of the drawings is intentional,” she says. “I want kids to feel like they could do it too.”
Over the course of about three years, she and Capuria developed Riley’s Remarkable Roller Coaster Ride, which was released in October 2024.
The book follows Riley, a child who struggles to sit still and feel calm. Through breath work and building a mind-body connection, Riley learns to achieve a sense of peace.
The response to the book and its illustrations has been the “most exciting surprise,” Stryker explains.
“It’s very vulnerable to put a piece of art into the world, especially because it’s so simplistic,” she says. “But people have really loved it.”
Stryker and Capuria have been visiting schools and libraries for readings and interactive assemblies—Stryker in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and Capuria in Ohio, where she is based. These visits have become an unexpected highlight for Stryker.
“The kids are super into it—they’re so excited to practice,” she notes. “The teachers are like, ‘I'm going to use this to settle kids down.’ School counselors have all been super jazzed to have this as a tool.”
Stryker hopes to book more readings and events and encourages schools and libraries to reach out. She’s also planning to appear at Peapack and Gladstone’s Art in the Park in September for a reading and book signing.
Capuria is currently writing a second book, and Stryker is already on board as illustrator.
The entire experience has been rewarding, Stryker says, and she’s grateful Capuria brought her into the project.
But most of all, she’s excited to reach—and help—so many people in a new way.
“That is probably one of the most wild parts of this experience,” she says. “This is my first time putting something out into the world, and having it positively impact people I’ll never even know.”
For more information on Riley’s Remarkable Roller Coaster Ride or to contact Stryker and Capuria, visit emilyandelizabeth.com. To learn more about Stryker’s physical therapy practice, visit pelvicstabilitypt.com.