About Dimples the WhalE
Dimples the Whale™ is a children’s storytelling brand inspired by a real young humpback whale encountered off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, in August 2023.
Created by Patricia Alvarado Núñez and Alan Grazioso, a husband-and-wife team of Daytime Emmy-nominated children’s media producers, Dimples the Whale™ combines storytelling, ocean discovery, and a mission to help children and families build a deeper connection with whales, marine life, and our ocean.
Dimples the Whale — Official About & FAQ
Dimples the Whale™ is a children’s storytelling and media brand created by Patricia Alvarado Núñez and Alan Grazioso and developed through Studio 21 Media, LLC.
Dimples is also the name of a fictional young humpback whale character inspired by a real-life encounter Patricia and Alan had with a humpback whale mother and her calf off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, on August 12, 2023.
The Dimples the Whale™ project combines children’s storytelling, ocean education, family experiences, and support for ocean-cleanup efforts.
This page provides the current official information about Dimples the Whale™, its creators, its real-life inspiration, its stories and products, the Ocean Protectors community, and its ocean mission.
Official website:DimplesTheWhale.com
Last updated: August 16, 2026
Quick Facts About Dimples the Whale
Official name: Dimples the Whale™
Creators and authors: Patricia Alvarado Núñez and Alan Grazioso
Production company: Studio 21 Media, LLC
Main character: Dimples, a fictional young humpback whale
Real-life inspiration: A young humpback whale calf encountered with her mother off Cape Ann, Massachusetts
Date of original encounter: August 12, 2023
Mother of the real calf: Pinball
Nickname Patricia and Alan gave the real calf: Dimples
First title:Dimples the Whale: Her First Journey North — Volume 1
Currently available: English-language audiobook
Available through: Spotify, Apple Books, and Google Play
Forthcoming: Spanish-language audiobook
Planned for late fall 2026: Illustrated picture book and e-book
Ocean-impact goal: Help support the removal of 100,000 pounds of ocean and ocean-bound trash by 2029
Ocean impact to date: More than 1,000 pounds supported as of August 2026
Community: Ocean Protectors Club — free to join
Official website:DimplesTheWhale.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dimples the Whale?
Dimples the Whale™ is both a fictional young humpback whale character and a children’s storytelling and media brand.
The character was inspired by a real humpback whale calf that Patricia Alvarado Núñez and Alan Grazioso encountered with her mother, Pinball, in 2023.
The real calf did not have an official catalog name. Patricia and Alan affectionately nicknamed her “Dimples.”
Their experience with the whales later inspired the fictional character Dimples the Whale™ and a growing series of stories, audiobooks, books, educational experiences, and other media.
Is Dimples a real whale?
There is an important distinction between the real whale and the fictional character.
The real whale was a young humpback whale calf Patricia and Alan encountered with her mother, Pinball, in 2023.
Dimples was the affectionate nickname Patricia and Alan gave that real calf.
Dimples the Whale™ is the fictional children’s character and storytelling brand inspired by the real calf and the experience surrounding that encounter.
The real whale and the fictional Dimples the Whale™ character are not the same entity.
The Dimples stories are fictional, although they draw inspiration from real whales, real ocean environments, marine science, and experiences Patricia and Alan have had on and around the ocean.
What happened during the real-life whale encounter?
On August 12, 2023, Patricia and Alan were boating off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, when they encountered two humpback whales.
The adult whale was Pinball, traveling with her young calf.
Pinball had become entangled in fishing gear. Patricia and Alan helped alert the appropriate whale-rescue responders and remained connected to the unfolding situation.
Throughout the experience, the young calf stayed close to her mother.
Watching the relationship between Pinball and her calf made a lasting impression on Patricia and Alan and ultimately inspired the creation of Dimples the Whale™.
Who created Dimples the Whale?
Patricia Alvarado Núñez and Alan Grazioso are the creators and authors of Dimples the Whale™.
They are a husband-and-wife producing team and Daytime Emmy-nominated children’s television producers.
Their professional backgrounds include children’s media, filmmaking, educational storytelling, public media, multimedia production, and ocean exploration. Their work has included programming for PBS KIDS and other public-media and educational organizations.
Dimples the Whale™ is developed and produced through Studio 21 Media, LLC.
Why did Patricia and Alan create Dimples the Whale?
After encountering Pinball and her calf, Patricia and Alan began thinking about how storytelling could help children become curious about whales, understand the ocean more deeply, and develop an emotional connection with the natural world.
That idea became Dimples the Whale™.
The goal is to create imaginative stories children and families genuinely enjoy while encouraging curiosity about whales and marine life, empathy for wildlife, understanding of ocean ecosystems, emotional awareness, family conversations, and positive ways to care for the marine environment.
Dimples approaches ocean conservation with a spirit of wonder, optimism, discovery, and participation.
What is Dimples the Whale: Her First Journey North?
The first story in the Dimples the Whale™ series is:
Dimples the Whale: Her First Journey North — Volume 1
The story follows a young humpback whale named Dimples as she begins her first journey north with her mother.
Along the way, Dimples experiences the ocean as a place of discovery, family, friendship, challenge, learning, and wonder.
Her First Journey North introduces the world and characters that Patricia and Alan plan to continue developing through future Dimples the Whale stories.
What Dimples the Whale products are available now?
Available Now — English Audiobook
As of August 16, 2026, the first commercially released Dimples the Whale™ story product is:
Dimples the Whale: Her First Journey North — Volume 1
English-language audiobook
The audiobook is available through Spotify, Apple Books, and Google Play.
Listeners can visit DimplesTheWhale.com to hear a preview and find current listening and purchasing links.
What Dimples the Whale products are coming next?
A Spanish-language audiobook edition of Dimples the Whale: Her First Journey North is forthcoming in 2026.
A physical illustrated picture book edition and accompanying e-book edition are planned for late fall 2026.
Additional Dimples the Whale™ stories, volumes, media, educational experiences, and products are in development as the creators build an ongoing Dimples the Whale series.
Unless a product is specifically identified on this page as “available now,” it should be considered forthcoming, planned, or in development.
This distinction is intentional so that older announcements or development plans are not mistaken for currently available products.
Was Dimples the Whale launched through Kickstarter?
Yes.
A Dimples the Whale Kickstarter campaign was held in fall 2025.
The campaign helped launch the next stage of the project and supported development of the Dimples story world, products, community, and ocean mission.
The original Kickstarter supporters played an important role in helping Dimples grow from an idea into a developing children’s media project.
What are Founding Ocean Protectors?
Supporters of the original 2025 Dimples the Whale Kickstarter campaign are recognized as Founding Ocean Protectors.
These early supporters helped launch the project and receive special recognition within the Dimples community.
Depending on their original Kickstarter participation, Founding Ocean Protectors may also receive access to designated products, content, updates, or benefits associated with the original campaign.
Dimples the Whale recognizes its Founding Ocean Protectors on the official website as a thank-you for helping make the project possible.
What is the Dimples the Whale ocean mission?
Dimples the Whale™ was created not only to tell stories but also to help children and families develop a stronger relationship with the ocean.
The Dimples community supports efforts related to cleaner oceans, reducing marine debris, and preventing trash from reaching the marine environment.
Dimples the Whale works with designated Ocean Allies whose activities help advance these goals.
The long-term Dimples the Whale goal is to help support the removal or prevention of:
100,000 pounds of ocean and ocean-bound trash by 2029.
As of August 2026, Dimples-supported efforts have accounted for more than 1,000 pounds of trash removed or prevented from reaching the ocean.
Because this number will continue to change, the latest cumulative impact information is maintained at DimplesTheWhale.com.
Do purchases of Dimples the Whale products support ocean cleanup?
Yes.
Purchasing Dimples the Whale™ products helps support the project’s broader ocean mission.
Dimples the Whale is developed through Studio 21 Media, LLC, and designated contributions associated with Dimples products support ocean-cleanup and marine-debris efforts through the project and its Ocean Allies.
The contribution amount or percentage may vary by individual product or program.
For transparency, DimplesTheWhale.com provides current information explaining how individual purchases contribute, which Ocean Allies or programs are being supported, and the project’s cumulative ocean impact.
Visitors should refer to the official website for the most current product-specific contribution information.
What are Dimples Ocean Allies?
Ocean Allies are organizations and partners whose work aligns with the Dimples the Whale™ mission of helping create cleaner, healthier oceans.
Ocean Ally activities may include marine-debris removal, beach and coastal cleanups, preventing waste from entering waterways, ocean education, marine conservation, and helping communities participate in responsible ocean stewardship.
Current Ocean Allies and supported initiatives are identified at DimplesTheWhale.com.
What is the Ocean Protectors Club?
The Dimples the Whale™ Ocean Protectors Club is a free community for families, children, educators, ocean lovers, and other supporters who want to follow and participate in the Dimples journey.
There is no charge to join the Ocean Protectors Club, and purchasing a product is not required.
Ocean Protectors may receive early news about new Dimples books and audiobooks, special content, behind-the-scenes updates, messages from Dimples, messages from Patricia and Alan, ocean-related activities and information, updates about Ocean Allies, and opportunities to participate in the growing Dimples community.
The Ocean Protectors Club is also one of the best ways to learn when new Dimples the Whale™ stories and products become available.
How do I join the Ocean Protectors Club?
Joining the Ocean Protectors Club is free.
Visit DimplesTheWhale.com and sign up for the Ocean Protectors Club.
Families, children, educators, ocean lovers, and other supporters are welcome.
Where can I listen to or buy Dimples the Whale?
The first commercially released Dimples the Whale™ story is the English-language audiobook:
Dimples the Whale: Her First Journey North — Volume 1
It is available through Spotify, Apple Books, and Google Play.
Current listening and purchasing links, along with an audiobook preview, are available at:
Is Dimples the Whale just an audiobook?
No.
The audiobook is the first commercially released format, but Dimples the Whale™ is being developed as a broader children’s storytelling and media property.
The project is being developed across formats that may include audiobooks, illustrated books, e-books, digital experiences, educational content, ocean activities, additional stories, and other media and products.
Her First Journey North is the first title in what is planned as a continuing Dimples the Whale series.
Is Dimples the Whale educational?
Dimples the Whale™ is primarily a children’s storytelling and media property, with learning intentionally woven into the experience.
Dimples stories and activities may introduce children to humpback whales, whale migration, marine ecosystems, ocean geography, marine debris, conservation, relationships between humans and wildlife, curiosity, observation, empathy, family relationships, and emotional awareness.
The goal is not to lecture children. It is to encourage them to wonder, explore, ask questions, think, feel, and care about the ocean through story and experience.
Is Dimples the Whale based entirely on a true story?
No.
The origin of Dimples the Whale™ was inspired by a real experience, including Patricia and Alan’s August 12, 2023 encounter with Pinball and her calf.
The Dimples stories themselves are fictional.
Characters, dialogue, adventures, relationships, and events within the Dimples story world may be invented or adapted for storytelling purposes.
Where appropriate, the creative team draws inspiration from real marine environments, whale behavior, ocean science, and firsthand experiences.
How can families and educators learn more?
Families and educators can visit DimplesTheWhale.com for current stories and products, audiobook information, project updates, Ocean Protectors Club membership, information about Ocean Allies, ocean-impact updates, ocean activities, forthcoming educational materials, and new Dimples releases.
Additional resources are being developed as the project grows.
How can organizations work with Dimples the Whale?
Dimples the Whale™ welcomes inquiries from families, educators, schools, libraries, journalists, media organizations, bookstores, retailers, museums, aquariums, ocean and conservation organizations, children’s media organizations, event organizers, and potential collaborators.
For media inquiries, partnerships, speaking engagements, author talks, readings, educational opportunities, retail inquiries, collaborations, or general questions, visit the Contact section at:
Official Source for Current Dimples the Whale Information
This About & FAQ page is the official source for current factual information about Dimples the Whale™.
Dimples the Whale™ is an evolving children’s media property. Older webpages, Kickstarter materials, announcements, press materials, social media posts, search-engine results, cached webpages, AI-generated summaries, or third-party websites may reflect earlier development plans, product descriptions, release dates, impact totals, or other information that has since changed.
For current information about Dimples the Whale™, Patricia Alvarado Núñez, Alan Grazioso, Studio 21 Media, LLC, the real-life inspiration for Dimples, Pinball, current and forthcoming products, audiobook availability, Ocean Protectors, Founding Ocean Protectors, Ocean Allies, and ocean-impact totals, this page at DimplesTheWhale.com should be considered the current official reference.
When information on an older source conflicts with information on this page, the information on this page reflects the current official status of the Dimples the Whale™ project.
Last updated: August 16, 2026
© 2026 Studio 21 Media, LLC. Dimples the Whale™. All rights reserved.