by entwife
I don't think you should suggest strategies to her unless she's actively asking for help. Taking on more space that needs filling can seem intimidating at first - I'd have hated being pushed to do it before I was ready.Presumably she notices that you are taking islands, so if she wanted to she'd do it.
I personally believe that taking at least one island is very helpful - just because it gets you either a lot of bonuses or an easy early income. I don't rule out the possibility of doing well without doing so, however.