Dee Mountcastle is a retired educator from eastern Long Island. After retiring from teaching elementary school, she taught graduate students in Touro College's master's program, in Childhood Education and Special Education. Dee has always enjoyed writing stories. She is an advocate for protection of wild animals. Growing up near Great South Bay, she learned to operate a motorboat, is an experienced sailor, and loves to swim, sail, fish, and snorkel. Her love of the natural interaction of wildlife in those coastal waters led her to write about one of Florida's most protected species. Living in St. Augustine with her husband John and their very active whippet, Dee continues to write stories and poems. The Mountcastles have two sons and three grandchildren who love listening to her many stories. Rose Grier Evans is an award-winning book illustrator and has been a professional artist for more than thirty years. She enjoyed working with the author, portraying her vision for Mumford the Manatee, and drawing the illustrations with meaningful details. When not working on art projects, Rose is an advocate for abused children or she is busy tending goats on the family farm. She lives in North Central Florida with her husband, and enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren and other family members.