Elijah Earl is shy.  “While other kids are talking,” he slips away, preferring to remain in the shadows. However, he is not alone in his shyness.  There are other talented kids in the school who also have not found their voice; Jacob who hides in a book, Alishah, “Who hides more than her hair,” and Pam Pam who is shyest of all. Mr. Searle, a clever and caring custodian, affectionately known as Doo-wop Pop, notices these shy kids, and plans an intervention. Doo-Wop Pop, formerly a lead singer in a popular group known as The Icicles, sees the potential in these shy violets. He gathers them up after school, teaches them the moves he learned as an entertainer, and to find the music that is all around them.

The be-bop, doo-wop language begs to be read aloud while Bryan Collier’s realistic, warm-hued golden illustrations bring characters to life. Facial expressions and body language help tell the story of shyness overcome, learning to fit in, and discovering personal talent all at the same time. Certainly, the author gives a nod to the real Doo-Wop Pop, Earl (Speedo) Carroll, lead singer for The Cadillacs in the 1950s. They often called him Speedo, but his real name was Mr. Earl.

Adelaide Poniatowski Phelps, MLIS
Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Poniatowski Phelps, A.M. (2009).
[Review of the book Doo-Wop Pop]. 
Multicultural Review, 18(3).