Physical Therapy alum Charles “C.J.” Gillett, DPT ‘19 has authored a new book, “The Cat in the Coconut Hat.” The book is the first story in a proposed children’s series that explores Belize and the Caribbean’s diverse cultures through the eyes of the main character – a sly, yet cautious, little cat. In both English and Belizean Creole, the book exposes readers to the rich dialect of the Belizean culture with colorful illustrations and storytelling.
“With everything going on in the world and with the pandemic, especially being a healthcare worker myself, I wanted to work on something to help take my mind off of the sadness when I got home. Putting my extra time and energy into creating this book really helped me get through those really tough days at the hospital. Also, writing and working on this story really helped me feel closer to home and my family at a time when I couldn’t physically be with them,” said Gillett.
Gillett is a first-generation author of Belizean heritage, born and raised in New York City. He writes novels and short stories for children and young adult audiences.
“His book showcases how ‘health science minded’ individuals, such as DPTs, also have a creative humanities side,” said Dr. Greg Ford, physical therapy chair and associate professor.
Gillett recently completed a neurologic physical therapy residency program at UPMC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “In the neurologic residency program, I was able to take advantage of the strong foundational elements that I acquired at Daemen and refine my clinical skills to the point where I can feel confident in my approach to patient care. The residency has supplied me with the expertise to use the tools in my clinical toolbox to provide optimal and patient-centered care to my future patients. It was an absolute capstone experience that I am so grateful to have participated in,” said Gillett.
To learn more about the book and discover additional books in the series, you can find the book on Amazon or visit the official The Cat in the Coconut Hat Series website and view the official trailer.