When children experience depression, it can be hard for them to understand exactly what they are feeling.

Because each child may experience depression differently, it can be difficult for parents to accurately identify the
symptoms of depression in their children.

The first book in The Feelings Series, Why Is Lucas Sad?, gives a voice to the struggles that children with depression face. It also demonstrates helpful ways parents can take a closer look at their children's thoughts and actions to identify depression and take action to get them the help they need. Follow along with Lucas and his parents as they work together toward healing.

Who is Claire Davis? She is a deep sea fisher, an agoraphobe, a baker, a world traveler, spontaneous, a swing dancer, a Bipolar I patient, creative yet logical, a road-tripper, a vagabond, a power napper, a cross-stitcher, an amateur photographer, a panic attack sufferer, anxietyridden, clinically depressed, a left and right brainer, a biscuits and gravy addict, a honeysuckle and lightning bug lover, an indie rock fan, a slow reader, a monkey-wrangler, a cairn terrier enthusiast, and a sweet tea aficionado.

Throughout her life, Claire has been all these things--some only for a brief period of time, the rest in her heart forever. Her first major depressive episode happened in 2006, while living in the Ukraine. After the episode, she made her way back home to finish her master's in biochemistry at Duke University, already having a bachelor of science in molecular biology from Auburn (War Eagle!). It was then she started going to therapy, along with taking different regiments of prescription drugs, to attack the depression she was feeling. Years later, after many psychiatrists and many drug alterations, she still deals with depression and anxiety.

Claire has channeled the depression and anxiety she's felt for most of her life into her children's book series, called The Feelings Series. The series details how to spot these symptoms in earlier stages of childhood. She hopes you find them entertaining and helpful when sharing these books with the entire family.