Bob and Joss Get Lost!

In his first picture book, McCleery joins Vogel (The Thing About Yetis) to introduce a George Costanza–esque worrywart named Bob and his pal Joss, more of a laid-back Jeff Spicoli type. Vacationing at a tropical resort and feeling bored, they rent a boat and get shipwrecked on what they think is a deserted island. Joss quickly discovers that they’re pretty much back where they started (he shows up in subsequent vignettes with resort food and gear) but he’s so chill that Bob never picks up on the clues, and instead spends most of the pages fuming and fretting. The duo’s GPS coordinates are noted at the top of each spread, information that serves as an additional wink and nudge. But the book’s real raison d’etre seems to be a classic odd couple bantering thusly: “ ‘We are lost!’ cried Bob. ‘We can’t be lost,’ said Joss. ‘I know where I am.’ ‘You do?’ ‘Yes,’ said Joss. ‘I’m here on a boat with you.’ ” Vogel’s cartooning has verve, but a little of this repartee goes a long way. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)