Namaste, Santa

Home Alone meets Bend It Like Beckham in this middle-grade graphic novel about a group of misfit kids trying to fit in while celebrating their heritage.

Life is tough for Siddhu and his family after they move to Canada from India. So, when the other immigrant children in his apartment building tell him about Christmas, and how Santa always skips their building because no one puts up a Christmas tree, he decides this is his chance to make things better for all of them. He's going to find a way to get a Christmas tree into their building! What he doesn't anticipate, however, is how fiercely some of the adults resist. That is, until Siddhu and his friends learn the true meaning of Christmas spirit. And, suddenly, everything changes.

Rahul Chaturvedi has crafted a quintessential immigrant story with a delightful Christmas twist. Together with Sunita Balsara's expressive illustrations, it also offers a realistic depiction of what life is like for a child in a new country. This fun graphic novel perfectly blends a charming, feel-good Christmas story with lessons on Indian and other cultures' holiday traditions. It highlights the similarities in all cultures, and how when people of different backgrounds get together to accomplish something, the result can be magical - an important message for our time. The book also provides a relatable, funny and fresh child-centered point of view. There are excellent character education lessons here on adaptability, cooperation, inclusiveness and teamwork. A glossary of Hindi words and terms is included.

Author: Rahul Chaturvedi
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Published: 10/06/2026
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.45lbs
Size: 8.60h x 6.10w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9781525311536
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2026

About the Author
Rahul Chaturvedi is an award-winning writer-director for television and film, with four Canadian Screen Award nominations and a Writers Guild of Canada Screenwriting Award nomination to his name. His television credits include 18 to 35, Late Bloomer, Bollywed, Potluck Ladies and Skillsville. His breakout short film Forbidden Tikka Masala won seven international awards and was distributed on the TIFF Digital platform, CBC Gem and Air Canada. Rahul lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his wife, Luisa, and their son.
Sunita Balsara is a writer and illustrator living in Toronto, Ontario. A graduate of Sheridan College's animation program, Sunita has worked on popular shows such as Bubble Guppies, Thomas & Friends and more. Ostinato, a short film she wrote, was an official selection at Comic-Con's 2024 Independent International Film Festival. Namaste, Santa is her first book for children.