A woman whose first book was published thanks to support from her Ukrainian houseguest will be holding a charity book reading.

Hilary Warren wrote her children’s book ‘Hide and Sleep’ but never published it, so it sat in a drawer for years.

That is until her Ukrainian houseguest Nataliia Honcharenko helped her to finally get the story published.

Retired dentist Mrs Warren and her husband Tim, of Langton Herring near Weymouth, opened their home to Nataliia and her son Max last year.

Arriving in Dorset in May, professional photographer Nataliia helped Mrs Warren make her first children's book a reality. 

Now Mrs Warren will be holding a book reading and signing at Waterstones in South Street, Dorchester, on Thursday, April 13 at 10am. All profits from the sale of the book will go to Unicef Ukraine for as long as the war continues.

Mrs Warren said: “This book wouldn’t be possible without Nataliia.

“It is magical to see it in bookstores I really am grateful to Nataliia.

“It is like a fairytale. I never thought I would have a book in Waterstones but here it is thanks to Nataliia. It’s a dream come true.”

This is Mrs Warren’s first book and is based on a story her daughter Sidonie wrote for her school homework when she was seven back in 1994. It is a story about her seventh birthday party, a game of Hide and Seek, a sleepy guest and the family’s funny cat, named Tiptoes. Hilary wrote and illustrated the story and put it away in a drawer.

Last year there was a discussion at the home about the word ‘seek’- Max was explaining its meaning to his mother – and Mrs Warren remembered her story and dug it out. Nataliia loved the story, and encouraged and helped Hilary get her book finished and to print using her photography and IT skills. 

Mr Warren added: “Unicef Ukraine is our chosen charity because it puts the interests of children first – focusing on health, education and child protection. This is particularly important in Ukraine at this time.

"We have donated £600 so far and hope to donate more.”

Hide and Sleep can be purchased directly from www.Hilary-warren.co.uk and is stocked at the following outlets: Waterstones in Dorchester, Weymouth Post Office, Chalbury Food and Wine and SW Coast Refills in Weymouth, Ducks in Portesham and Bridport Tourist Information Centre.