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Herby lives in a mountain town in Colorado, much like Steamboat Springs, and as he navigates his way through perils related to being 6 inches tall, Herby learns the value of survival skills and the Boy Scouts.

"Herby's Secret Formula," the first novel by Colorado writer Sue Hughey, describes the struggles of the title character after he shrinks himself using a special formula. Hughey will hold a book signing from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Epilogue Book Co.

"His only chance for survival lies in his own ingenuity and the skills he learned in Boy Scouts," states the back cover of the book.

Hughey, whose son, Greg, has lived in Steamboat for more than 20 years, said she considers Steamboat her second home and the basis for her book's setting.

"It's set in the town of Mountain View, and I probably had Steamboat in mind," she said.

Now living in Grand Junction, Hughey has published educational pamphlets for the Environmental Protection Agency and has created educational map posters for years. She said she switched to writing a novel in order to develop her ideas.

The book has proved successful, winning second place in the Colorado Independent Publishers Association's annual awards. It's a finalist in the Colorado Book Awards, Hughey said.

Steamboat Scout Master Brian Berry also is quoted on the book's back cover.

"Young readers will be carried forward by the plot and action and delighted by the wonderful illustrations. Older readers will be wondering if they could be as resourceful as Herby in the same circumstances," Berry wrote.

Hughey said the book is not only for Scouts, although she encourages readers to join the organization.

"I'd like to see more boys join Boy Scouts."