Inspired by Santa Cruz’s troublesome otter, CSUMB alumnus pens children’s book

By Mark Muckenfuss

The infamous Otter 841 was back in the news recently. That might not be the best thing for Santa Cruz surfers but at least one of them may be happy about it. 

Luke McLelan, a graduate of Cal State Monterey Bay, is a surfer, former surf instructor and, recently, an author. He’s written a children’s book, “Amelia Otter’s Mischief in the Water,” based on the trouble-prone 841’s escapades.

The Otter first gained recognition last year when it attacked the boards of several surfers in the Santa Cruz area. The attacks were unusual but not unprecedented. Experts speculated the Otter was protecting its territory and that it might be pregnant.

McLelan, who works as an emergency room nurse, said he wrote the book for his three children.

“It came out a lot better than I thought it would,” McLelan said. “I had no idea it would get rolling like this.” 

The idea from the book surfaced one day during work, he said.

“One of the medics said the otter had bitten some guy and the guy wanted it caught,” McLelan said, noting that the otter had, in fact, not bitten anyone. “I thought, what if all the city of Santa Cruz tried to catch the otter?”

In the book, Amelia the otter spends her early life at the Monterey Bay Aquarium before being released into the ocean. She begins to hang out with the local surfers and is adopted by them, even getting her own board. But one cranky wave catcher objects to her presence and a hunt ensues to capture Amelia.

No spoilers here, but keep in mind, it is a children’s book. 

McLelan said he has an affinity for otters, even as a surfer. 

“I’ve run into a lot of otters,” he said. “There were a few times I fell off my board and offered up my board to one, but none of them ever took it.”

The response to his illustrated story has gone far beyond his expectations, he said. He’s been donating copies to the pediatric units of local hospitals. And he’s hoping it will become more widely available, in part due to his coursework at CSUMB.

“I’ve definitely been using my business degree on this stuff,” he said. “The things I learned [at CSUMB] and my grasp on the business world have been really useful.” 

One of those writing courses may have helped a little too.