Dr Neil Aronson (1934 - 2024)
Dr. Neil Aronson lived with his wife, Evelyn, in Skokie, Illinois, on the outskirts of Chicago in an ’empty nest’ full of many books, telephone jacks, dragons, original art and unfinished projects. He has two devoted daughters, Rosy and Marilee Aronson, and a wonderful granddaughter, Maya.
Dr. Aronson started writing children’s books out of a desire to introduce children to fine art and fine artists, stimulate their imaginations, and excite them to the idea of travel and adventure — as well as to help them deal with important aspects of growth and development, such as emerging independence and positive self-image.
He had ample opportunity to watch and help kids grow, play and interact in his over 35 years as a paediatrician. His office is filled with caricatures of the many children he cared for, which he was able to draw (usually in a few minutes) when time permitted. He wrote all of his life, including poetry and two musicals.
‘That’s My Belly Button‘ is a book of memoirs that finds its voice in both serious and humorous anecdotes, conversations, case histories, personal views, serendipitous events, and caricatures of patients treated in the office and hospital over a period of 35 years. The book creates a unique view of childhood and paediatrics as seen by the paediatrician — from the inside out. This book is interesting for parents and all who were children once themselves.
As the saying goes, "Just because you're older, it doesn't mean you can't be immature." Well, that's me. I've been fortunate to grow older without growing up, and for that, I have only my patients to thank. You see, I am a paediatrician.
I liken my work-a-day world to a giant kind of amusement park. There are the visitors to the park — the "little people"; the "fun house" itself, my office; and the "house of horrors," the hospital. Each day is like a trip on a roller coaster with all of the excitement, exhilaration, twists and turns, and ups and downs of a ride that leaves one thrilled yet sometimes all too glad the experience is over. And there is the pageant of "little people," who parade through the amusement park in a never-ending stream, determined to endure or resist, to suffer, or enjoy, excited and frightened at the same time. Over the years, my amusement park has seen its hodgepodge of little faces and little voices and has given me enough anecdotes and vignettes, triumphs and tragedies to spin quite a tale. It's presented a kaleidoscope I wouldn't change for the world.
Bobo the Dragon
a Children’s Book & Poem by Neil Aronson
Bobo the Dragon wanted, from birth,
To be a fireman, the best one on earth.
There was no question he had the desire.
His heart beat with purpose; his eyes burned with fire.
So lickety split to the firehouse he sped
Where he asked for a job, and the fire chief said,
“It’s clear to see, Bobo, desire you’ve got
But a dragon can’t be what a dragon is not.
For everyone knows—and there is no doubt
That a dragon starts fires; he does not put them out.”
Was poor Bobo beat? Did he think he would never
Get to be Bobo the best fireman ever?
Not Bobo, oh no, for he burned with desire
And one just doesn’t put out a true dragon’s fire.
So Bobo practiced the firefighter things
He could do with his tail; he could do with his wings.
And he read about fires so he could then show
There wasn’t a thing that he didn’t know.
He read books about all the great firemen of yore
He read stories of fires. He read stories galore.
Oh Bobo was ready, but the fire chief said “Not!”
“A dragon can’t be what a dragon is not.”
So poor Bobo moped, feeling that he would never
Get to be Bobo the best fireman ever.
‘Till there came one day a humungous fire turning
Clear up to the town, the whole forest to burning
The firemen fought. They were brave; took their lickins,
But the fire burned and burned. Oh, it burned like the dickens.
And if it burned on, the whole town would be toast,
But it never happened. Though it happened — almost.
For Bobo, brave Bobo, to the fire he flew,
Shooting flames from his mouth, and his nostrils too,
Burned a wide path round the fire — and so
When the fire got there, there was no place to go.
So on that path the fire died.
And people laughed and people cried.
And Bobo said to everyone’s delight,
“Sometimes you’ve just got to fight fire with fire,”
And you know — he was right!
In front of the firehouse and next to the street
Is a very large statue one’s likely to meet
Of a very large creature on the fire wagon
That says Bobo, Hero, and firefighting dragon,
Who proved to us all — child, woman and man —
That you can if you want to; if you want to you can
