Nathan desperately wants to be the lifeguard at the local swimming pond each summer but the other animals always give him a different excuse about why he can't. And when he decides to take things into his own hands, it looks like he accidentally ruins summer for everyone!

This book starts out pretty strong, with a likable main character who just wants to do good by his community and shows determination in the face of naysayers. But then it turns into that character overreacting to a situation, which results in him later "saving" summer simply by a mere coincidence. In a way, it reminded me of how Curious George usually escapes getting into trouble because he's managed to do something else well, except that here Nathan's good turn is as entirely accidental as his mistake.

The text is a little bit on the longer side, enough so that I would recommend it more for elementary-aged children than preschoolers. There is a notable lack of rhyme, repetition, or other literary devices common in picture books. The illustrations are quite charming, featuring expressive-looking animals in striking watercolors. ( )

Nathan saves the summer is a funny and colorful book. Children love the body language shown and relate their feelings. Kids will surely develop a bond with the main character.