JáNiya Williams, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, wrote "Saving the Mantees" while she was an elementary student in the Pesacola Florida School District.

JáNiya teaches readers about manatees. Children can color the pictures; cursive writing, sight word activities, and practice writing sheets are at the end of the book. Parent participant is recommended, but not required.

JáNiya, age nine, is the youngest published author in her family, and her cousin Calla Ridgeway is the youngest published illustrator in their family.

JáNiya recently advanced to the fourth grade, and will attend school in Fayettevile, North Carolina. Calla was promoted to the eighth grade in the Jackson (MS) Public School System.