To Be With You

Words by Dave Gunning

Illustrated by Meaghan Smith

Nimbus Publishing

978-1-77471-405-8

32 pp.

Ages 3–7

September 2025 

 

Based on Canadian singer-songwriter Dave Gunning's song of the same title, To Be With You is a love song. It's the love of a dog for their child, and the unbreakable bond that connects them every moment of every day and every night.

From To Be With You, words by Dave Gunning, art by Meaghan Smith

In very simple rhyming text that young children will adore and repeat easily, the song (listen to it here) speaks to different dogs spending time with their children: playing, sleeping, eating together, going for walks, and touching. Its refrain, "All I want is to be with you," repeats over and over again, though the children and dogs vary. There's a girl in a wheelchair hugging a dog as big as herself, and a dachshund excited for a walk with their child who wears yellow rain gear. There's a girl with a leg brace running through a wildflower meadow with a large floppy dog, and a husky-like dog chasing bubbles that a small boy is blowing. All children are here as are all the dogs that bring them companionship, love, and safety. And Dave Gunning's words make it clear that,

All I want is to be with you

All day long and all night too

All I want is to be with you

All I want is to be with you 

From To Be With You, words by Dave Gunning, art by Meaghan Smith

Much of the sweetness in To Be With You comes from Meaghan Smith's illustrations. She may also be an East Coast singer-songwriter, but her art is what defines this book. (The first book I've reviewed that included her art was It Snowed (2025) which she wrote and illustrated.) She brings great softness and affection to her art. Most notably, though, we notice that we rarely see the child's full face. The emphasis is on each dog, speaking to the child about what they are feeling, demonstrating exuberance, love, and togetherness with every flick of a tail, tongue hanging out, and eyes wide open anticipating their next moment together. Meaghan Smith makes the story, and Dave Gunning's words, about the dog, and it's a joyous perspective.

From To Be With You, words by Dave Gunning, art by Meaghan Smith

For the child who loves their dog, and who loves them right back, To Be With You will become a lovely accompaniment to a bedtime routine, a walk in the park, or a wind-down song before a nap. Moreover, the words could just as easily be a love song between a parent and child—do listen to the song (link here again) because its melody is very catchy—and could become a new lullaby to share  in your home.