By Brenda Hillegas

When Emily Bhatnagar was 15, books became her refuge as her father battled stage four thyroid cancer. Stories offered her a way to escape reality for a bit and provide comfort when real life felt uncertain.

Now at 21, Bhatnagar — a University of Pennsylvania student — is the founder of For Love & Buttercup, a nonprofit she launched that has donated more than 25,000 books to pediatric cancer patients nationwide.

She funds the nonprofit using tips earned from working at her parents’ small bread shop, as well as the book donations she receives. Her work has been recognized by outlets including The Washington Post, Forbes, Good Morning America, TODAY, PEOPLE, and CNN, where she was named a 2023 CNN Heroes Young Wonder. 

This month, she’ll be collecting copies of ‘The Tales of Charlie Wags’ by Ali Barclay and Sofie Wells to distribute to Philadelphia area hospitals. She hopes the story, about a traveling puppy, will provide comfort, adventure, and a little bit of escape for children who can’t be home for Christmas.

Bhatnagar recently sat down with Metro to discuss her holiday book drive, the mission behind her nonprofit, and the true power of literature. 

Why did you choose ‘The Tail of Charlie Wags’ as the book you plan on giving to children in hospitals this month?

‘The Tales of Charlie Wags‘ felt right the moment I came across it. I didn’t even look any further — it immediately felt like the kind of story a child would want to hold onto during a difficult time. I wanted to give them something that felt safe and soft, like a quiet moment or a cozy snow day, where they could forget, even briefly, that they were in a hospital. 

Through Charlie, the sweetest little puppy, children are invited to travel to beautiful places like Paris, London, and New York City, letting their imaginations wander far beyond their hospital rooms. For kids spending the holidays away from home, this series felt like a small hug in book form and a reminder that magic, adventure, and kindness still exist, and that they are deeply loved and never alone.

How can people in Philadelphia donate books? 

There are several meaningful ways for people in Philadelphia, and beyond, to support the book drive. Those who would like to donate new books can do so through our Amazon wishlist, which allows books to be sent to children in hospitals. If someone has gently used children’s books they’d like to donate, I’m more than happy to personally coordinate shipping. All they need to do is send me a direct message on Instagram (@forloveandbuttercup).

I want giving to feel easy, personal, and rooted in kindness. Another beautiful way to help is by supporting ‘The Tales of Charlie Wags’ directly. Through their “Buy a Book, Share an Adventure” initiative, every Charlie Wags book purchased results in a matching copy being donated to a child who may not have the opportunity to explore beyond their everyday surroundings. 

You deliver books to children in hospitals along the East Coast. Why did you choose Philadelphia as your holiday book drive?

Last year, I hosted my holiday book drive in New York City, and I absolutely loved it. I truly fell in love with the energy, the people, and the magic of the city. But Philadelphia feels different to me — it feels like home in a deeper, more personal way. Philadelphia is where my mom first lived after immigrating to the United States, and growing up, she spoke about the city with so much warmth and pride. Hearing her stories made it feel like a place full of beginnings, resilience, and possibility. That connection is actually one of the reasons attending the University of Pennsylvania, even virtually, meant so much to me.

Choosing Philadelphia felt like honoring my family’s story while also giving back to a city that represents hope, roots, and new beginnings. It felt like the right place to share comfort and joy with children during the holidays.

What hospitals will you be delivering books to?

We’re still putting the finishing touches on a few last-minute delivery details, since I’m a college student and the nonprofit is still very small. We’re excited to hopefully bring books to children at Penn State Health, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, CHOP, and pediatric cancer support groups across the region. 

What do you have planned with the children during your upcoming visit in January and how will you be distributing the books?

As much as I love meeting the kids, their privacy, comfort, and well-being always come first for me. Every hospital and every family is different, and I want to honor that completely. For families who are comfortable, I’ll be visiting children in their rooms to personally hand them books and share a little moment of joy. For hospitals where in-person visits aren’t the best option right now, their incredible Child Life departments will help distribute the books so they reach the kids in the way that feels safest and most supportive.

No matter how the books are delivered, the goal is the same — to bring comfort, imagination, and a little bit of magic to each child in a way that feels respectful, calm, and filled with care.

What does 2026 look like for your nonprofit? 

I hope to keep traveling, meeting families, and listening to the moments that connect us all, even when they aren’t directly tied to a book delivery. One of the most touching parts of running a book drive has been hearing from people all over the world who feel a personal connection to the mission. Recently, a sweet donor from Germany reached out to share that they call their fiancé “Buttercup” while being called “Love” in return. Moments like that remind me that this work isn’t just about books, it’s about tenderness, connection, and the small names and stories that carry so much meaning.

Learn more about the book drive and ways to donate at forloveandbuttercup.com. You can support the Charlie Wags’ “Buy a Book, Share an Adventure” at charliewags.com.