This holiday season, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s Family and Community Partnerships division is teaming up with Book It Forward! Idaho and Barnes & Noble to bring something truly special to children in foster care: the joy of receiving books chosen just for them.
Books open doors to imagination, comfort, adventure, and belonging. Every child deserves that experience. With your help, we can make sure foster families across Idaho receive books that feel personal and magical this holiday season.
Foster families are sharing their children’s favorite stories, topics, and reading levels to help create personalized wish lists. That means when someone buys a book from these lists, it’s not just a gift—it’s a gift chosen with the child in mind.
There are several ways Idahoans can take part, whether you shop in-store or online.
Nov. 1 – Dec. 15: Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive
Throughout the season, Barnes & Noble customers can donate books for Idaho foster children right at the register. Boise and Twin Falls locations have set out wish list books in baskets and tables around the store, making it easy for patrons to purchase from the lists of foster kids. Donated books will be collected, sorted, and delivered to families before the holidays.
Twin Falls Barnes & Noble Bookfair Event – Saturday, Nov. 8 – Sunday, Nov. 9
A full day of holiday activities, including:
- Story time with hands-on children’s activities at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m.
- Book It Forward! Idaho volunteers onsite to share information and help shoppers participate
- Foster family wish list books available for purchase and donation
Use voucher code 12920237 for any in-store purchases that day—books, toys, and gifts count! A portion of proceeds will help buy more books for foster children.
Boise Barnes & Noble Bookfair Event – Saturday, Nov. 22
The same fun experience, now in the Treasure Valley, where wish lists for most of the state will be fulfilled.
- Book It Forward! Idaho tabling at the entrance
- Story time and activities for kids
- Foster youth wish list books available for purchase
- Use voucher code: 12894796 at checkout to support the book drive
Online Book Drive – Nov. 22–27
Even if you can’t visit a store, you can still give a child the gift of reading.
- Shop online using voucher code: 12894796
- A portion of sales will go toward purchasing books from foster children’s wish lists
- Books purchased directly from wish lists can be shipped straight to regional DHW offices
More details and wish list links will be shared as the online drive opens.
Invite others to participate
Share this event with friends, family, and social media contacts.
Books are more than objects—they’re experiences.
- A child who loves dinosaurs gets the next big adventure in their favorite series.
- A teen who has moved often gets a book that matches their interests—not a generic gift.
- Siblings can receive stories they enjoy together.
- Foster parents can build a library of comfort and joy in their home.
With help from Book It Forward! Idaho, Barnes & Noble, community sponsors, and caring Idahoans, we hope every foster child receives books picked with love.
Every book donated becomes a gift a child can open, hold, explore, and remember.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.
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