When Emily’s dad was diagnosed with cancer, it felt like her world had turned upside down. During this time of uncertainty, she found comfort in the activity her father always encouraged her to continue — reading. Driven by a newfound purpose, she embarked on a heartwarming journey of organizing book drives, collecting tales of adventure, laughter, and wonder to bring smiles to the faces of young cancer patients. Read on to learn about Emily and her mission!

Where are you based?
Gaithersburg, Maryland

Can you tell us what inspired you to start a book drive for kids with cancer?
My book drive is and has always been inspired by my father’s own battle with cancer. It’s the sum of his strength and all his amazing doctors who helped him get to where he is today. It wasn’t a decision I had to make — it was so instant. I just knew in my heart and mind that giving back is what I wanted to make my goal.

Where does the name For Love And Buttercup come from for your non-profit?
Buttercup flowers are yellow and actually represent everything sweet, pure and innocent. That’s the feeling I wanted these kids to encompass when they read a book of mine.

What inspired you to focus on donating books as the object of donations?
Growing up shy, I was always a bookworm. My love for books began when I was a very little girl and was the only one of my childhood hobbies I didn’t outgrow. I think my love for reading will be lifelong.

You have been able to donate around 15,000 books! That’s amazing! How do you typically go about collecting books for your book drives? How do you select your books?
Many books come from generous donations through my Amazon Wishlist, but a large sum also come through tips I earn from working at my parents’ small bread shop! I try to include a wide range of books from timeless childhood classics to books with strong lessons that stick. It’s also very important to me to include books where the main character is POC as that is something I always wish I saw more of as a little girl. Books have such a powerful impact, and I think it’s so important to see yourself within a character, especially as a child.

How has the book drive impacted your life?
It’s completely changed my life in the best way. Beyond the fun parts like having cameras document my journey nationwide, it’s given me purpose.

Your book drive has become a family operation? How did all this start? How did you get your whole family included?
Yes, my family does help! From the very beginning, my mom has so kindly let me use an area of her bread shop to store all my books. It’s so funny, all our customers know that when they walk in, it’s not going to look like a typical business! My brother helps me lift heavy boxes of books into trucks and my dad is always willing to lend a hand and drive me to the hospitals as I still do not have my license, haha!

Who got you into reading?
My father always encouraged me to read, whether it was by the poolside or during recess at school when I was too shy to make friends. He would always bring me to Barnes and Noble. I remember when the Nook came out, all I had to do was ask one time and he was rushing to surprise me with one. I was truly daddy’s little girl.

What is your favorite book? What is your dad’s favorite book?
The Selection series by Kiera Cass is my favorite book! Surprisingly, my dad actually doesn’t read novels! He says it’s too much writing haha. He’s much more advanced than I am — he loves reading news articles on his phone and will always open a cookbook… if there aren’t too many words on the page!

How is your dad doing?
He’s doing well! His recovery from cancer has not been easy, but so many times I find myself being comforted by him when it should be the other way around. He’s so much more stronger than me.

You have been working on this project since 2021. What motivates you personally to continue organizing book drives and giving back to the community?
The reaction of the children who receive my books is like a dose of happiness enough to last several lifetimes.

We appreciate all that you do to improve the lives of others. Can you share a few of your favorite memories you had while working on the book drive?
It was the first time I met a child who received one of my books, and he didn’t speak English. I was so nervous, but we immediately bonded over the books and his reaction was just priceless. It was like all his worries evaporated from his sweet mind the minute he glanced at the Pete the Cat set he received that day! I’ll always remember that day. I think about him often.

We love that you also write sweet little notes and put them in the books. What inspired you to include this gesture?
When I was little, I would always try sending letters to my favorite authors. If I was ever lucky enough to hear back, the ones that always made me jump up and down in happiness were always the ones that were handwritten in real ink. I think handwritten notes make everything sweeter. It feels more real that way.

In your opinion, what role do books play? Why do you believe it is important to make books accessible to all?
I think books shape us into the people we are. Especially as children, we are incredibly impressionable. We read about a character and think, “Hm. I want to be more like him! Spiderman is cool!” I think that’s why it’s so important to make books accessible — so that we have these role models for children and that they are being taught valuable lessons that will stick with them as they grow older.

What message do you hope to send to all of your book receivers?
You are beyond strong, you are beyond intelligent, and you are beyond beautiful.

Your organization works with a considerable number of books. Have you faced any challenges or obstacles while organizing the book drives, and how did you overcome them?
When I first began, many hospitals understandably had strict regulations regarding used book donations. I would go through each and every book donation I received and sanitize it, but even after, there was a considerable amount of book donations that I unfortunately couldn’t donate because they weren’t gently used. Later on when I began receiving more publicity, someone recommended that I start an Amazon Wishlist, which is where we are today!

There has been some book banning going on, have you run into any issues with that?
Sometimes, I hear from the sweetest folks asking if I can add a book to the Amazon Wishlist, but it’s banned. I wish there was more I can do to understand — I’m actively trying to learn more about book banning in general.

What are your future goals for the organization?
I’m still working on applying for official non-profit status. Then, I hope to start opening up volunteer opportunities and expanding further in the nation. That would be a dream!

What is your motto in life?
I struggle with anxiety, so I always tell myself, “Nothing could ever be as bad as your head makes it out to be.”

To learn more about Emily Bhatnagar, please follow the links below:
Amazon Wishlist
Instagram: @forloveandbuttercup

Emily Bhatnagar - Bringing Books With Answers To Kids With Cancer