Brave Ollie Possum

By: Ethan Nicolle

Narrated by: Ethan Nicolle

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Ollie must learn to be brave, or end up a bowl of soup.

Ollie Mackerelli is determined to face his fear of the dark, once and for all, but he gets more than he bargained for when his therapist turns out to be an actual monster. To make it even worse, Ollie is transformed from a boy to a possum and locked in a cage.

With no way to call for help, Ollie must learn to be brave (with the help of some furry friends), or he will be the main course.

Adventurous and imaginative, Brave Ollie Possum is the debut children's story from author and screenwriter Ethan Nicolle.

©2019 Canonball Books (P)2020 Canonball Books

Ollie Possum is awesome!

A fan of the Author's work I decided to listen to his latest and I'm glad I did. A wonderful story about overcoming the challenges of fear for kids along with some funny and clever writing for the adults. If you like this Audiobook I recommend buying the hardcover for the Illustration work. not only does it enhance the story but it's just so darn pleasing to look at.

I lost years and gained courage

I am 52 years old and my normal reading reflects that, but life has been rough 2020, and I have aged far more physically and emotionally. Brave Ollie was suggested by a friend as a distraction, a flight of whimsy, but it was a lot more.
I loved the characters - over-the-top but relatable, humorous, magical. They were what children's book characters should be. The story is a common one, a story of self discovery and overcoming, but told in a way that is like a full length feature film and not a gimmicky pamphlet to "buck up and be brave." The story whips around with twists and turns, yet it has a solid unmoving anchor.
The greatest achievement in this book is Mr Nicolle's ability to describe. his command to capture imagery in word is perhaps the greatest I have seen. The word choice shows a keen skill of observation and prepares younger readers and listeners into a world of creativity.
I am disabled, bedridden, and often very afraid - of pain, of, decline, of the future. This book helped me find comfort, smile, and perhaps be a bit braver. This book took me back to my youth and pain-free innocence. I can sing no higher praise than that.

Hilarious and a great story!

The narrator, the author, does such a good job we we laughing out loud and we now find ourselves oft quoting the Glorch (the antagonist) in the author’s silly voice for her. It’s not just hilarious, though. This is the kind of book I wish I’d read when I was young and afraid at night- the kind of book that teaches you (in a totally fun and NOT preachy way) to face your fears. My husband and I love it and we’ll be reading it (or listening to it!) with our kids!

A Cartoon In Your Ears

Ethan has rocked this book. The story is a dark and whimsical fantasy that will capture you and draw you in. Honestly, I can’t believe that Ethan is reading for all the characters, each with their very individual and unique characteristics. If you want a good story that is going to keep you listening get this audiobook.

Excellent!

Ethan Nicolle nails the voices. The story is fun and engaging and teaches some valuable lessons about courage and fear. It’s a book for kids but it’s good enough for adults.

A Mesmerizing Road-Trip Favorite

In the vast ocean of audiobooks, every so often you come across a gem that isn’t just listened to, but lived. 'Brave Ollie Possum' by Ethan Nicolle is precisely that gem. Our family embarked on a road trip with Ollie's tale as our companion, and let me assure you, the journey was spellbinding.

Nicolle crafts an inventive and heartfelt narrative about confronting fears, with a twist that turns the very concept of therapy on its head. Ollie’s transformation from a boy to a possum in a world rife with tangible danger and unpredictable twists was not just a story for our kids – it became the highlight of our trip. Every pit stop, every conversation seemed to inevitably circle back to Ollie’s adventures and the valuable lessons of courage.

But what truly set this audiobook apart was the voice performance. It’s a tall claim to make, but Ethan's narration might just be the best audiobook rendition we've ever had the pleasure of hearing. With a range of voices that brought each character to life, the performance drew us into the world of Ollie in an unforgettable way.

In conclusion, 'Brave Ollie Possum' is more than just a story; it's an experience. Whether you're planning a family road trip or just looking for a gripping tale for the young (or young-at-heart), do yourself a favor and dive into this adventure. Your only regret will be that it had to end.

Can’t tell you the last time I got this into a story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook, and plan to order the hardcover of it. It was just the right mix of curiosity, adventure, horror (not too much for kids), laughs, and good overcoming evil! Only thing that threw me for a loop was I thought Ollie was an opossum from the very start HA! A mistake only I could make, after re-listening to the beginning. I hope to find more like this for my children, and me ;) we loved listening together while in the car

Instant Classic in the Spirit of Roald Dahl

This book is a whimsical, magical, hilarious, and heartfelt adventure. If you like Roald Dahl, you will LOVE "Brave Ollie Possum". Adults and kids alike will enjoy this wonderful book. Many laughs and smiles were had.

Regarding the audiobook specifically, I cannot say enough good things. The author delivers the perfect narration with wonderful and hilarious voices perfectly suited to each character. I am sometimes wary of audiobooks read by the author, since skill at writing does not necessarily translate into skill at narration, but that was definitely not an issue here. If Mr. Nicolle ever gives up writing, it seems he could have an equally successful career in voice acting.

TLDR; 10/10 Great story, perfect narrator. Cannot recommend highly enough for readers of any age.

A wonderful story

This was one of the most enjoyable listens I've had in awhile. Thank you Ethan. I heard the review on the Book Pile. The Bab Bee turned me on to Kellen and now he reminded me of Ethan. I own the Bear book and enjoyed hearing about it again.

A book that you will enjoy just as much as your kids

I originally purchased the hardback of this book and read it to my kids. Then Ethan made an audiobook that he narrated himself!
I loved the book, it's a charming story about family, friendship, and overcoming fear. My kids (and me, too) got very attached to the main character, and the suspenseful chapter endings had them begging me for "just one more chapter." A few random observations: I appreciate that Ethan didn't shy away from larger words. I (usually) enjoy having my kids expand their vocabulary. The book has a couple over-the-top silly but gross descriptions. If you have a weak stomach, caveat emptor. The descriptions of fear and how to deal with it are pretty profound and you can tell Ethan put a lot of thought into them. Finally, I like the audiobook specifically because I get to hear how Ethan imagined the voices and emotions in every scene. It added an extra layer of detail, like watching the director's commentary of a movie you really liked. Anyway, it's a wholesome, well-structured story that your kids will enjoy both now and continue to appreciate as they mature. An instant classic for you or your family - highly recommended.