If you mistook "Sick of Each Other" as another innocent Steig children's book (or more horrifying, started reading it with actual children), you'd very soon be pointed out your mistake: for on the very first page spread, sketched in signature William Steig style, are two very naked, very disgruntled adults.

If you can get past that - and make a promise to not share this book with just any typical kid - then "Sick of Each Other" is a wry, endearing tribute to the difficulties of that vague concept called Love.

This isn't Hallmark: as the book flap claims, it's "for those of us who hate Valentine's Day." But the cheeky, back-and-forth play between the abbreviated negative declarations ("I've a feeling this isn't going to work out," aforementioned Naked Woman says to Naked Man at the beginning) and the all-too-familar-for-most illustrated scenes of tired love are delightful social satire at its best. "Sick of Each Other" reminds us that Steig, while also writing for children, had quite a prolific career drawing commentary and illustrations for The New Yorker.

If you've a suitable sense of humor, and perhaps more importantly, a humorful partner, then "Sick of Each Other" is a perfect salute to the perfectly natural feelings of lovers growing old together. ( )