Girl Scout sets up libraries at hospitals so parents can read to their premature babies

Born at just 27 weeks, Anoushka Talwar spent her first three months of life in a neonatal intensive care unit, but she wasn't alone.

Talwar's father sat next to her incubator every day, and while he couldn't hold his daughter, he could form a bond by talking to her and reading stories. Now 14, Talwar wanted to assist families going through similar situations, and for her Girl Scout service project, collected books to start NICU libraries. "I wanted to help other parents connect with their premature babies," she told CNN.

The Georgia resident's goal was to collect 100 books, but after going to her neighbors and asking for donations, she found herself with 450 books. Talwar partnered with the March of Dimes, and was able to set up mini-libraries at two hospitals: Scottish Rite Hospital of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Hardcover books are for the NICUs, and paperback books are given to families as a keepsake once they are able to take their babies home.

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The project earned Talwar her Girl Scout Silver Award, as well as the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Council's Young Women of Distinction Award.