Literacy, Legacy & the Power of Storytelling with Deema Al Alami

Siti's Stories: Highlighting Palestinian Women

In this authentic and heartfelt episode of Siti’s Stories, host Laila sits down with educator, author, and literacy advocate Deema Al Alami, whose work is transforming Arabic children’s literature and reclaiming Arab narratives through storytelling. 🌿📚

Deema opens up about growing up as a half-Palestinian, half-Iraqi woman in Jordan, and how her multicultural upbringing shaped her identity. She shares her journey through postpartum depression, co-founding the Mother to Author program, and using writing as an act of healing, resistance, and legacy.

We dive deep into her book, 48 Stories of Exile from Palestine — a moving project born out of grief, hope, and collective memory, preserving the voices of Palestinian displacement across generations. Deema also reflects on the influence of her grandmothers, her advocacy for sensitive topics like body safety in children's books, and the power of community-driven literature that speaks across ages.

🎙 In this episode, we explore:

• The power of storytelling and refusing to be reduced to numbers as refugees
• Navigating Arab identity and feelings of belonging
• The role of grandmothers in preserving culture and memory
• The urgent need for high-quality Arabic literature for our children
• Empowering mothers to become authors and share their stories
• Carrying forward the stories and legacies of our ancestors

Whether you're a reader, writer, educator, or simply someone who believes in the power of storytelling, this conversation will move and inspire you.

📚 Mentioned in This Episode:
🔹 48 Stories of Exile from Palestine – https://www.48stories.com/
🔹 Mother to Author Program – www.frommothertoauthor.com

📩 Connect with Deema:
Instagram: @deema_al_alami

🎙 Connect with Siti’s Stories:
Instagram: @sitis.stories
Website: www.sitisstories.com
Email: [email protected]