Marlie Blue

The real Marlie Blue · Charleston, South Carolina

A baby blue marlin.
The beginning of a big dream.

A tiny fish, a quick photograph, and an ocean of possibility. This is the encounter that inspired Marlie Blue.

Photograph and encounter shared by Joey Cagle.

The Real Marlie Blue illustrated spread, including Joey Cagle’s photograph of a baby blue marlin resting in a hand.
The baby blue marlin photo taken offshore of Charleston, South Carolina, shown within the book’s illustrated origin story. View the full-size spread.

The fish that inspired the book

One day, while fishing offshore of Charleston, South Carolina, Joey Cagle’s boat encountered a baby blue marlin. It was so small it fit in the palm of his hand, with its beautiful sail already showing.

Joey took a quick photograph. After admiring the little fish, they released it back into the ocean to grow.

That moment became the inspiration for Marlie Blue, a curious little marlin with a pink bow and a big dream. Her adventure with Coco the Crab and Tilly the Turtle is a fictional picture-book story rooted in that real encounter.

“Big things really do begin with one little try.”

The photograph records the real fish. The colorful characters and ocean adventure are illustrations created with AI tools under Joey’s direction.

For little dreamers and their grown-ups

Read the story this little fish inspired.

Marlie Blue is a free ocean picture book for ages 3–5, with narration, words that light up as they’re read, and a printable edition.

Read the complete storyDownload the printable book

About the baby blue marlin photo

Was Marlie Blue inspired by a real fish?

Yes. Joey Cagle’s encounter with a baby blue marlin inspired the character and her story.

Where was the baby blue marlin photographed?

Joey took the photograph while fishing offshore of Charleston, South Carolina.

What happened to the fish?

After a quick photograph, the fish was released back into the ocean.

Who created Marlie Blue?

Joey Cagle directed the creation of the story and illustrations using AI tools. The free book is intended for children ages 3–5 to enjoy with their grown-ups.