Will Cook County News

Article & photos by Nuha Abdessalam. Updated on 10/11/24 at 6:00 AM.

Orland Park resident Shatha Zaghloul, a new children’s author, harnesses the power of storytelling to preserve her people’s culture.

Zaghloul’s story, Tala’s Tatreez Adventure, is a unique narrative that captures the essence of Palestinian culture, faith, and customs. It follows the journey of Tala, a young girl who learns the art of tatreez from her grandmother while embroidering a robe.

Tatreez, a traditional Palestinian embroidery, serves as a powerful symbol of the rich cultural identity of Palestine. This art form, passed down through generations, remains prevalent both in Palestine and among diaspora communities.

Zaghloul stated that she is deeply rooted in her heritage. Her experiences at Northern Illinois University, where she felt a lack of diversity (particularly in the art department), have significantly fueled her passion for storytelling rooted in her culture. These experiences, though sometimes challenging, have shaped her perspective. She remarked, “I was used to being one of the very few ethnic students, which I didn’t mind; it meant I could be a resource.”

With a strong commitment to children’s literacy, Zaghloul’s passion for reading and writing began at an early age. She reflected, “I’ve loved to write since I was a kid. I would write short stories and, as a dyslexic, I had an elementary school teacher who always encouraged me.”

Inspired by Marc Brown’s Arthur Read series and Little Bill, Zaghloul found her muse in writing for the ‘immigrant child.’ She shared, “Diaspora kids understand what I mean; these stories and shows that we grew up with, whether we acknowledged them or not, have helped shape and retain many lessons and memories.”

The violence on October 7, 2023, which has led to the ongoing death and displacement of millions of Palestinians, has further motivated her to share her story with the world. Zaghloul expressed, “I feel like my history is being erased, and I feel it’s my duty to learn and to know as much as I can.” She added, “I hope my story keeps my roots and culture alive for future generations.”

Zaghloul emphasized the importance of research in her creative process, stating, “Researching was key, learning the history of tatreez and the significance of the different patterns, what they spoke.” She elaborated, “tatreez can be seen as a communication tool. Some patterns distinguish villages and villagers through the stitching and colors used.” 

Collaborating with her friend and former classmate, Brooklynn Staton, Zaghloul approached the illustration process with full dedication. She noted, “Brooklynn is not just a great friend, but also a talented artist who has been drawing since she was a kid. With her interest and skill set, she played a huge role in bringing the story to life.”

Staton reflected on the collaboration, saying, “I used a lot of Shatha’s references from books and artifactual texts, including the text The Palestinian Costume, that helped.”

Having little exposure to Palestinian culture, before befriending Zaghloul, Staton remarked, “This was a unifying experience even from someone else’s culture, I found my own way to relate to it through the characters.” She added, “I’m very close with my grandmother, and it was nice to capture that relationship between grandmother and granddaughter, especially when it comes to passing down knowledge and wisdom we can share.”

Tala’s Tatreez Adventure, was published on July 7. Copies are available for locals to purchase through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Zaghloul aims to amplify the Palestinian voice through her work, with half of the book’s proceeds going to the Palestine Child Relief Fund (PCRF), which provides medical and humanitarian relief to children throughout the Levant, regardless of nationality or religion.

Zaghloul stated, “I want readers to know that if they purchase and support this, their money will go to good hands and further support PCRF and their mission.” She added, “I also want this story to span generations, continually portraying Palestinian culture.”

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