Turning 40, like any milestone birthday, feels like a right of passage. But what if you’re a busy mom of three who hasn’t celebrated a birthday in a while? You do it up! At least that’s what Jaclyn Greenberg did – within reason.

“I wasn’t ready to travel and leave the kids behind,” she writes. “I knew I wanted to celebrate with friends from different areas of my life: Friends from high school, college, local mom friends and friends from past jobs, especially since many of my get-togethers had become so few and far between.” So she and her husband did what anyone with a certain air of nostalgia would do: She threw a throwback party. Let her give you some ideas for your celebrations.

Whether you enjoy reading to your little one, or your not-so-little one is now old enough to love reading on their own, chances are you’re searching for some books to pop under the tree this year. Amazon has released their editors’ picks for the best children’s books of 2024. So, whether you’re looking for a lead on a new series to get your 5th grader in to, or you need to find that perfect new read to tuck into their stocking, these editor-approved books are sure to delight your reading-obsessed kid.