Boca Grande, Florida
The real island behind all our stories. Tap a pin to discover where Pony, Donut, and Miso have their adventures.
The Boca Grande Map
Discover where Pony & Donut live, play, and go on adventures!
📍 Story Locations
About Boca Grande, Florida
Boca Grande is a charming barrier island town on Gasparilla Island, tucked along Florida's southwest Gulf Coast in Charlotte County. Known for its pristine beaches, historic lighthouse, ancient banyan trees, and laid-back old-Florida atmosphere, Boca Grande is one of the most beloved and unspoiled coastal destinations in the entire state. The island sits at the mouth of Charlotte Harbor, where the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet one of Florida's most productive estuaries.
The Boca Grande Lighthouse — officially the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse — stands at the southern tip of the island and has guided mariners since 1890. It is one of the most photographed landmarks on the Gulf Coast and features prominently in the spirit and imagery of Whiskered Moon Press. Banyan Street, lined with enormous spreading banyan trees whose aerial roots create a magical canopy, is one of Boca Grande's most iconic stretches — and the setting of our Halloween adventure, Trick or Treat on Banyan Street.
Authors Jack and Gabrielle Gibbons live on Gasparilla Island and draw daily inspiration from the Gulf beaches, the wildlife of Charlotte Harbor, and the relaxed island community of Boca Grande. Every book in the Whiskered Moon Press collection is rooted in the real places, sights, and feelings of this extraordinary coastal corner of southwest Florida.
Story Locations on the Map
Each pin on the Boca Grande story map marks a real place — or a place inspired by real Gasparilla Island locations — that appears in one of our children's books. Here is a guide to every story location and the book it comes from:
Play Time in the Pasture
📖 Not a Horse of CourseFrom a child's sunny backyard on Gasparilla Island, Pony gazes toward the open pasture and dreams of galloping free across the wild west. This location captures the dreamy, imaginative spirit of our very first book — a story about being exactly who you are, even if who you are is a cat who believes she is a horse.
A Child's Home
📖 Pony and the Donut DilemmaTwo cats under the same roof on Boca Grande, figuring out how to share space, toys, sunbeams, and eventually their hearts. The warm, sun-filled home in this story reflects the cozy Gulf Coast homes found throughout Gasparilla Island, where life moves a little slower and every afternoon feels like a golden hour.
Boca Grande Beach
📖 The Curious Case of Donut the CatDonut soaks up the Florida sunshine on the beach, making new friends and discovering the warmth of being truly loved. Boca Grande's white sand Gulf beaches — calm, warm, and endlessly beautiful — are the perfect backdrop for Donut's gentle, heartwarming adventure about kindness and connection.
Banyan Street
📖 Trick or Treat on Banyan StreetOne of Boca Grande's most magical streets, Banyan Street is lined with massive, ancient banyan trees whose aerial roots and canopy create an otherworldly atmosphere — especially on a lantern-lit Halloween night. In our spooky adventure, Pony the dragon and Donut the wizard follow the curling roots and uncover a mysterious pirate ghost.
The Quiet Garden
📖 A Mindful Day with MisoA peaceful, sun-dappled garden somewhere on the Gulf Coast, where Miso the bright orange cat learns to slow down, breathe deeply, and find wonder in the tiniest moments. This location reflects the natural beauty and tranquility of Gasparilla Island's lush vegetation, gentle breezes, and the meditative pace of island life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Boca Grande, Florida?
Boca Grande is located on Gasparilla Island on the southwest Gulf Coast of Florida, in Charlotte County. It is approximately 25 miles south of Sarasota and about 40 miles north of Fort Myers. The island is accessible by bridge from Placida, Florida.
Is the Boca Grande story map interactive?
Yes! Click or tap any of the five colored pins on the map to reveal the story location name, which book it appears in, and a brief description of the scene. The sidebar list on the right (or below on mobile) also lets you select any location directly.
Are the book locations in Boca Grande real places?
Yes — the locations are inspired by real places on Gasparilla Island and in Boca Grande, Florida. Banyan Street, the Boca Grande beach, the Boca Grande lighthouse, and the pasture are all authentic Gasparilla Island landmarks that authors Jack and Gabrielle Gibbons encounter in their daily life on the island.
Which book should I read first?
We recommend starting with Not a Horse of Course — it introduces Pony and sets the playful, imaginative tone of the whole series. After that, The Curious Case of Donut the Cat and Pony and the Donut Dilemma are wonderful companions. A Mindful Day with Miso is perfect for a quieter, calming bedtime read, and Trick or Treat on Banyan Street is ideal around Halloween.
Where can I buy Whiskered Moon Press books?
All five published titles are available on Amazon. Search "Whiskered Moon Press" to find the complete collection, or visit our homepage for direct links to each book.
Want to read the stories set right here in Boca Grande?