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Steamboat Springs — Ann Louise Ramsey wants to make sure her young readers get a message she didn't as a child.

"The moral of the story is to follow your heart, and it's about the power of believing in yourself and being true to all your dreams," said Ramsey, author of "Me, the Tree." "It's something I wasn't raised with, but those creative impulses take over anyways, whether you like it or not."

Ramsey self-published "Me, the Tree" and took all the photographs, which she altered in Adobe Photoshop. The story is about a pine cone's imaginary journey to become the tall tree that lives within.

"I was sitting under a tree and started writing about it. You can't really describe it because it was one of those experiences that especially people who live in Colorado and the mountains have, and that's why they live here," she said. "It's the gift that nature gives back to us for living here."

Ramsey, who lives in New Castle, is an avid hiker, backpacker and artist who used to tour as a fiddle player.

"I played fiddle for 15 years, but this is like a whole new venue and I am getting better at my presentation," she said. "I've had a great response to the book, and it's just a matter of time and money and energy to get it out there."

After story-time Saturday, Ramsey will facilitate a pine cone craft session with children.

"We'll use the pine cones I collect and glue eyes onto them," she said. "It's a really simple craft but uses nature, and I make Play-Doh bases for the children to make them on."

Ramsey already is working on her second children's book and plans to visit mountain communities this summer to promote "Me, the Tree."

"I will continue to do children's books. You hit your passion in life once in a while, and this is one of the many things I like to do," she said.

Ramsey stresses self-esteem is one of the most important qualities children need to develop.

"Knowing that everything you need to know is within you," she said. "To learn that when you're young - that they can do whatever they want to do in life and be true to themselves - is a great message."