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Check FAQAbout Vicky
Vicky is a journalist, copywriter and photographer based in England. Travel is her main focus, though she sometimes cover arts too. Please visit her website for more details and portfolio: www(.)vickywordsmith(.)com.
Journalism
Portfolio
Review of Just like Millie
A young girl and her mother move to a new city, where the girl initially struggles with social interactions. Through the adoption of a friendly dog named Millie, the girl gradually becomes more comfortable meeting new people. The book's illustrations effectively highlight the girl's growing courage and social skills, culminating in a heartwarming scene where she confidently makes a new friend.
Generation-spanning Native creators deliver a lustrous celebration of generational memory
The article reviews a children's book titled 'Remember' by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade. The book is a celebration of generational memory, with Harjo's poem from 1983 brought to life for a child audience through Goade's illustrations, which are influenced by her Tlingit heritage and the iconography of Pacific Northwest Coast art. The review praises the book's ability to link children to their human heritage and the natural world, highlighting the striking artwork that emphasizes the cyclical nature of life. The review notes the book's potential to engage young readers with its vibrant and meaningful illustrations.
Time magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time
The article is a critique of Time magazine's list of the 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time. The author, Vicky Smith, shares her personal experience with the list, noting how many of the books she has read and raising questions about the selection criteria. She debates the inclusion of certain titles over others and expresses satisfaction with the number of children's books featured. However, Smith also points out the lack of middle-grade books and the need for more diversity in the list, suggesting titles that could have been included. She emphasizes the lasting impact of childhood stories and the importance of diverse narratives in fantasy literature.
Letter: General Election
The author of the article expresses a personal political stance, indicating a shift in voting behavior due to the influence of Donald Trump. As an 'Independent' voter who traditionally leaned towards Republican candidates, the author now states an intention to vote against any candidate endorsed by Trump. The reason given for this change is the belief that Trump lacks morals, ethics, and respect for women and minorities, and by extension, the author assumes that those supported by Trump share these deficiencies.
The Brief and Solution for the Resurfacing of Donington Park
MotorSport Vision Ltd. (MSV), the owner of Donington Park, an iconic race venue, partnered with Aggregate Industries to resurface the circuit, which had not been updated in nearly two decades. The project required over 6,700 tonnes of asphalt to be replaced within a short timeframe. Aggregate Industries supplied over 5,000 tonnes of SuperPrixmat™ Ultra asphalt and other materials, and utilized dual supply plants for a continuous product supply. The work involved early engagement with MSV, complex trials, and high-tech LiDAR scanning to ensure precision. The resurfacing resulted in a superior grip and an exceptionally low International Roughness Index, exceeding performance specifications. Vicky Smith, Regional Director for Surfacing Solutions at Aggregate Industries, highlighted the technical capability and collaborative effort required for the successful completion of the project.
Can We Do Better Than Stereotypical Shorthand in Picture Books?
The article discusses the representation of diversity in children's picture books, particularly the inclusion of characters with disabilities and from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. It critiques the superficial and sometimes inaccurate portrayal of these characters, such as the use of wheelchairs that are not self-operable and the depiction of young Muslim girls wearing hijabs, which is not common practice. The author, Vicky Smith, acknowledges the importance of illustrations in picture books but calls for more thoughtful and accurate representation. She praises specific books like 'Best Day Ever' and 'Best Friends, Busy Friends' for their considerate portrayal of disabled characters and calls for more books with disabled protagonists and thoughtful group representation. The article also touches on the depiction of religious attire and the need for diversity to go beyond stereotypical shorthand.
The results of the 2023 Calling Caldecott Mock Vote
The article discusses the results of the 2023 Calling Caldecott Mock Vote, which is an unofficial event that predicts potential winners of the Caldecott Medal, an award for children's literature. 'Farmhouse' by Sophie Blackall emerged as the winner, with four other books receiving honors: 'Knight Owl' by Christopher Denise, 'Hot Dog' by Doug Salati, 'Choosing Brave' illustrated by Janelle Washington and written by Angela Joy, and 'Blue' illustrated by Daniel Minter and written by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond. The article notes that the vote showed a balance between male and female artists and covered a range of intended ages for the books. The author emphasizes that this mock vote does not influence the actual Caldecott Committee's decisions, which are yet to be announced.
Taking the pulse of LGBTQ+ children’s books
The article discusses the recent surge in LGBTQ+ children's literature, highlighting several books that explore queer themes and characters. 'Two Grooms on a Cake' by Rob Sanders and Robbie Cathro tells the true story of a 1971 same-sex wedding. 'Spin With Me' by Ami Polonsky is about a girl questioning her orientation after developing a crush on a nonbinary kid. 'All You Knead Is Love' by Tanya Guerrero deals with gender identity, family dynamics, and abuse. 'Grandad's Camper' by Harry Woodgate celebrates queer family with a story of a grandchild bonding with their grandfather. Kyle Lukoff's 'Too Bright To See' is a middle-grade ghost story that includes a gender journey. Lastly, 'Pride Puppy!' by Robin Stevenson and Julie McLaughlin is an ABC book set against the backdrop of a Pride parade. The article emphasizes the importance of these narratives in providing diverse and inclusive literature for young readers.
Navigating the path to employee wellbeing
The article discusses the importance of senior leaders in organizations taking the initiative to investigate the root causes of poor employee wellbeing and engagement. It points out that, typically, the responsibility for employee wellbeing is delegated to departments like occupational health or human resources, which lack the influence to change the sources of stress. The piece criticizes the trend of offering wellbeing services as a commodity solution, which may add pressure on employees to manage their own wellbeing without addressing the underlying issues. The author suggests that while wellbeing services are well-intentioned, they often act as temporary fixes rather than long-term solutions, and investment should be directed towards addressing the primary sources of workplace stress.
The books we missed
The article discusses several children's books that were not covered individually by Calling Caldecott but may be on the radar of the Real Committee for the Caldecott Medal. The books mentioned include 'Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas' by Jeanne Walker Harvey, 'Endlessly Ever After' by Laurel Snyder, 'Gibberish' by Young Vo, 'A Land of Books' by Duncan Tonatiuh, 'Out of a Jar' by Deborah Marcero, 'Somewhere in the Bayou' by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey, 'Witch Hazel' by Molly Idle, and 'Yellow Dog Blues' by Alice Faye Duncan. Each book is briefly described with insights from their respective reviews in The Horn Book Magazine. The article highlights the diversity and quality of children's literature and the challenge of covering every eligible title for awards.
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