CHARLES KONG SOO
charles.kongsoo@guardian.co.tt
Mila Jessie-Marie Alison Smith, 11, from Port-of-Spain, can usually be found with a lovely smile on her face at the Kidpreneur Artisan Market, Stollmeyer's Castle and the Bits and Pieces Artisan Market MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain, with her book 'This is Mila'.
It is a true story about a little girl who struggles to read and write. Instead of focusing on this difference, Mila, the author and main character of the book, channels her energy into all of her special and amazing qualities. She has written this book for kids who are going through similar challenges.
Mila, whose name means Miracles or Gracious, said "We thought 'This is Mila' was the perfect name because it’s about me and my experiences. I almost used another name, but my mom said it’s my true story, so we should stick to my true name.
"I’m dyslexic and when I was younger I would get really down about being so behind my friends in school. I was always the last to finish because it would take me longer to read, and I also had trouble with my writing and spelling."
She said her mom, Lindsay Smith, would try to cheer her up, but it still made her sad. Then one day her mom asked her make a list of all her talents and strengths, and showed her that she had so much going for her, and this struggle was just a bump in the road.
Mila's mother assured her that with all these strengths and talents she will do something amazing with her life, or maybe many amazing things.
The book, Mila said, was meant for kids out there who are struggling to read and write like her. She said there were not a lot of books about dyslexia written just for kids, even though dyslexia is common.
The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson reading This is Mila on her Storytime with Fergie and Friends show on YouTube.
Mila shared that it was nice to know that she was not alone and so the family thought they would turn her story into a book to help others
The tween believes her book can help children going through what she went through and is still experiencing.
She said a lot of kids like her have told her that they felt a lot better about themselves when they read it and that made her happy.
Mila said the book was available on Amazon globally. In Trinidad, you can find it in Caboodle Gifts in Maraval, Paper Based Bookshop at the Normandie in St Ann's, Craft Creators in The Falls at Westmall, and Yaya Toys for Tots in Woodbrook.
The family is hoping to get it into some stores outside the Port-of-Spain area and in Tobago so that if anyone would like to sell the book, they should let them know.
Mila said that because of her dyslexia she was not that into writing and only started when she was eight. But whenever Mila was feeling down, she would sit with her mom and make a list of all the things that made her so special. Her mom encouraged her to write it as a story, and she helped her edit it. Mila enjoyed doing that so much that she now loves writing stories.
It was Mila's mom and teachers who taught her about writing. She has an uncle who is dyslexic and two uncles who are authors.
Regarding her favourite books and authors, Mila said that she loved all of Roald Dahl's books, and Harry Potter by JK Rowling, and she had some of these written in large font to make it easier to read. Mila said her favourite local author is Jeunanne Alkins, and her book, The Most Magnificent is amazing.
She also likes adventure stories and stories where she learns interesting facts like comic books and chapter books.
Mila Smith rendering the book images which her aunt designed.
Mila chimed in that her mom was her role model because she always encouraged her to try new things and be brave.
For the most part, Mila's mom supported her decisions and dreams even when they drove her crazy. She said Taylor Swift was another role model because she encourages people to be themselves.
Mila would like to be a baker, a fashion designer, a professional skateboarder, a dog sitter and an activist when she grows up.
She attends Dunross Preparatory School and is in SEA 4. Her favourite subject in school is Art.
Regarding her hobbies and interests, Mila loves skateboarding, aerial arts, knitting and crocheting, baking, arts and crafts, fashion, sewing and gaming.
She has the sweetest little chocolate brown cockerpoo named Cocoa Bean, her favourite television show is Family Reunion, her favourite movie is Hocus Pocus 2, and her favourite musicians are Meagan Trainer, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish.
Mila's favourite food is loaded fries and her favourite dessert is soupee.
Mila Smith's book This is Mila.
According to Smith, Mila's book has its own YouTube channel under This is Mila, and she is also on Instagram and Facebook under the handle @thisismilabook
She commented that her family, together with Mila's dad, Marc Smith, and her brother, Oliver Smith, seven, all encouraged her in her writing, and she has so many interests that they can’t keep up.
Smith said her daughter was very bright, she is quite the talker and loves to socialise.
She shared that since This is Mila was launched a year ago, Mila has been featured on a US podcast called Daughters for Change, and several articles have been written about her both locally and internationally.
Smith said Mila was featured at the 2022 NGC Children's Bocas Lit Fest in their Young Author Showcase.
Mila will also be featured in an Australian Magazine called Dystinct in March of next year which highlights inspirational stories of coping with the struggles/hardships that learning difficulties bring.
Mila's mom, beaming with pride, said that her biggest excitement this year was having the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson choose This is Mila to be read on her Storytime with Fergie and Friends show on YouTube, which she still can’t believe happened.
She said that Mila had also sold hundreds of books both locally and all over the world on Amazon.
Mila was described as an extraordinary young girl who just wows them every day.
Her mom explained that when she was so down about her learning challenges, it broke their hearts because they just knew that this little girl was going to do something spectacular with her life.
Smith was happy to add that Mila became a published author at the age of ten while struggling with learning challenges and asked how many people can say that.
She believes this is just the beginning for her and the family can’t wait to see what happens next.