Product Review: GlassesShop

From time to time, Word Spelunking is asked to write product reviews. Sometimes these are book related products, sometimes they are not. Today, I have a non-book related product review to share...

about GlassesShop

Our Story

GlassesShop is an American owned and operated online retailer of eyeglasses. Since the website launch in 2004, we have delivered over a million pairs of eyeglasses while maintaining our standard of providing the highest quality at affordable prices. We are a group of eye doctors that understands your struggle with the high cost of eyeglasses. We strive to make your experience with GlassesShop.com one that is not only user-friendly but also professional and reliable. Being able to deliver superior eyeglasses at an unbeatably-low price has allowed us to help people all over the world see clearly and, in turn, has provided our team with a more rewarding experience than we could have ever anticipated. We guarantee your satisfaction.

Our Vision

At GlassesShop.com, our client-oriented philosophy makes your visual needs our first priority. We have created a culture of integrity and honesty, so you can shop with confidence.

- Our company strives to ensure all clients will have the best possible customer experience.

- Our frame sourcing and quality control protocols give you the best online selection of unbeatable-priced eyeglasses anywhere.

- Our Quality Assurance optical technicians will inspect your eyeglasses extensively before they are delivered.

- Our prescription glasses and sunglasses come with a 90-day quality guarantee.

- Our international logistic centers allow us to provide the most stylish top quality cheap eyeglasses at unbeatable prices to customers around the world. From our integrated, centralized international distribution center, we are able to ship orders worldwide and service customers across the globe. We have delivered our quality eyewear to customers in more than 45 countries!

For this review, I was given the opportunity to choose one pair of prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses from GlassesShop and I chose the Catherine Wayfarer Multicolor Sunglasses:

It took me a long time to choose this pair because GlassesShop has SO many great looking pairs to choose from! But, I really loved the oversized frames and colors on this particular pair. The site itself is easy to navigate and I believe choosing and ordering a pair of prescription eyeglasses would be a fairly easy task. My sunglasses were a little slow to ship, but the wait wasn't crazy long or anything. Like each pair ordered from GlassesShop, my sunglasses came with a protective case and cleaning cloth, which I though was nice. My Catherine Wayfarers are exactly as pictured on the site. The colors are really bright and pretty, they're made of very sturdy materials, the lenses were free of scratches or blemishes, and the fit is great. I love the way they look on and am really happy with them!

You can choose from various types of lenses for the eyeglasses and the sunglasses, and many of the sunglasses can be made with prescription lenses. The prices vary throughout the site, and right now you can get your first pair for FREE (must pay shipping and handling), with many other coupons/discounts available. 

And GlassesShop has awesomely offered all of YOU a discount code for 50% off a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses with free lenses! Just use code GSHOT50

Celebrate National Parks Week with National Geographic

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CELEBRATES

100 YEARS OF NATIONAL PARKS WITH

“THE YEAR OF THE PARKS”

NG KIDS BOOKS DEBUTS FOUR NEW TITLES THAT HIGHLIGHT THE KID-CAPTIVATING ASPECTS OF U.S. NATIONAL PARKS

Timed to the 100th anniversary of the National Parks in 2016 and National Parks Week April 16-24, 2016, National Geographic celebrates “The Year of the Parks” with four new children’s books designed to introduce young readers to the wonder and beauty of our nation’s parks.

National Geographic Kids National Parks Guide U.S.A. takes kids on a journey to National Parks across the United States, divided neatly by region: East, West, Southwest, and Midwest. Each region is broken down park-by-park with maps showing visitor centers and other attractions, lists of must-do activities, fun facts, and more – the perfect road trip companion. Young explorers will especially delight in the parks of special interest, such as “spooky” sites like Alcatraz or Great Sand Dunes National Park, known for its UFO sightings. The guide also aims to raise preservation awareness, offering conservation tips and detailing the best parks in which to spot endangered species like gray wolves and California condors. Color photographs, packing checklists, and suggested bicycling and spelunking excursions round out this comprehensive guide.

Junior Ranger Activity Book will keep kids entertained on the road to the nearest National Park with games, trivia, and jokes inspired by the National Parks Junior Ranger Program. The jam-packed book also enriches their experience with engaging facts and photos featuring local wildlife from each park. 

Funny Fill-In: My National Parks Adventure also makes a great car ride companion with over 20 hilarious fill-ins, colorful artwork, and wacky bonus facts.

Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure by Ilona E. Holland invites young readers to follow curious twins Elena and Christopher on a wild adventure through Yellowstone Park alongside Buddy Bison, Elena’s stuffed animal who has magically come to life. The story is set against gorgeous photographs and sprinkled with weird facts and helpful hints about the park, as well as an educational afterword on the history of Yellowstone and ways kids can help preserve its unique majesty.

These new titles are part of a yearlong exploration of the power of parks that also includes magazine features, special television programming, up-to-the-minute National Park Trail Maps, biodiversity-themed outdoor festivals at parks in all 50 states, and more across all of National Geographic’s platforms.

About National Geographic Children’s Books

National Geographic Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, website, apps, games, toys, television series and events and is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core. National Geographic Kids (10 issues per year) and Little Kids (6 issues per year) are photo-driven publications and are available on newsstands or by subscription in print and on tablets. The award-winning website kids.nationalgeographic.com excites kids about the planet through games, videos, contests, photos, quizzes, and blogs about cultures, animals and destinations. National Geographic Kids Books publishes as many as 100 nonfiction titles each year and teaches the youngest readers why the world is a weird, fascinating and fun place. National Geographic Kids Entertainment brings the renowned National Geographic brand to quality animated and live-action, entertainment-driven television, home video and online programming.

Don't Touch This Book Spotlight Tour (illustrations peek & giveaway)

Don’t Touch This Book

Bill Cotter

March 28, 2016

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Larry the lovable monster from Don’t Push the Button! is back with another hilarious, interactive adventure!

I know what you’re thinking: this is a pretty cool-looking book. But…

DON’T TOUCH THIS BOOK! (Don’t even try it, bub.)

Okay, okay. You can touch, but you can only use ONE finger.

Whoa. How’d you do that?

Larry is a loveable monster, but he has trouble sharing. It’s up to you to show him how it’s done!

goodreads / amazon / b&n / indiebound

ALSO BY BILL COTTER

Don’t Push the Button

Larry is a lovable monster (if a bit too curious) and the star of this hilarious, interactive picture book debut

There’s only one rule in Larry’s book: don’t push the button.

(Seriously, don’t even think about it!)

Even if it does look kind of nice, you must never push the button. Who knows what would happen?

Okay, quick. No one is looking... push the button.

Uh, oh.

goodreads / amazon / b&n / indiebound

About the Author

Bill Cotter grew up in Rocky River, Ohio. After graduating from art school, he moved to New York City, and worked as a Pre-K art and music teacher in Manhattan. Bill currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland, where he spends days doodling and hanging out with his basset hound named Goober. Visit billcotter.com for more.

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Win a copy of Don't Touch This Book!

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-ends 4/30

-there will be two winners

this giveaway is run by sourcebooks

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Our Love Grows Spotlight Tour (giveaway)

Our Love Grows

Anna Pignataro

April 5, 2016

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Like the sky, and the trees and the child she holds...A Mother’s Love Grows.

In the deep green forest, Pip asked,

“Mama, when will I be big?”

Pip is an adorable, roly-poly little panda who sees the world changing and growing.  But Pip is feeling a bit left behind. Luckily Mama is there to show playful and curious Pip that, like the trees in the forest and the stars in the sky, he’s growing and changing too. And no matter how much Pip grows, the one thing that will never change is how much Mama loves him!

goodreads /amazon /b&n / indiebound

Praise for Our Love Grows

“[Pignataro] creates delicately ethereal landscapes for the pandas to traverse—forests dense with pine and bamboo, snowy hillscapes—while showcasing a playful tenderness in their explorations and interactions… Pitch perfect in its spirit of cozy reassurance.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review!

“A sweet story for parents to share with their young children. The theme is straightforward and told in rhyme. The book conveys a similar message to Sam McBratney’s Guess How Much I Love You, and the engaging artwork greatly enhances and complements the story. The pen and paint illustrations have a soft tone and will give readers a warm feeling.” —School Library Journal

About the Author

Anna Pignataro is the creator of the bestselling books Mama, How Long Will You Love Me? and Mama, Will You Hold My Hand? Her works have been translated into eleven different languages, and she has won numerous awards including the Crichton Award for Illustration. She lives in Australia with her family. 

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Win a copy of Our Love Grows!

-US only

-ends 4/30

-there will be three winners

this giveaway is run by sourcebooks

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Just Like Me Spotlight Tour (excerpt & giveaway)

Just Like Me

by Nancy J. Cavanaugh

April 5, 2016

Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Who eats Cheetos with chopsticks?! Avery and Becca, my “Chinese Sisters,” that’s who. We’re not really sisters—we were just adopted from the same orphanage. And we’re nothing alike. They like egg rolls, and I like pizza. They’re wave around Chinese fans, and I pretend like I don’t know them.

Which is not easy since we’re all going to summer camp to “bond.” (Thanks, Mom.) To make everything worse, we have to journal about our time at camp so the adoption agency can do some kind of “where are they now” newsletter. I’ll tell you where I am:  At Camp Little Big Lake in a cabin with five other girls who aren’t getting along, competing for a camp trophy and losing (badly), wondering how I got here…and where I belong.

Told through a mix of traditional narrative and journal entries, don’t miss this funny, surprisingly sweet summer read!

goodreads / amazon / b&n / indiebound

Praise for Just Like Me

“A tender and honest story about a girl trying to find her place in the world, and the thread that connects us all." - Liesl Shurtliff, Author of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

“A heartwarming and tender story about the universal struggle of yearning to be an individual while longing to fit in.” -Karen Harrington, author of Sure Signs of Crazy

“[A] charming and refreshingly wholesome coming-of-age story....Filled with slapstick humor and fast-paced action, the novel will engage reluctant readers, while offering fuel for deep contemplation by those ready to tackle questions of identity and belonging.” –School Library Journal

“From pillow fights to pinkie promises, sock wars to s’mores, a red thread connects this energetic summer-camp story with Julia’s deeper journey to accept herself, her adoption, and her Chinese roots.” -Megan McDonald, award-winning and bestselling author of the Judy Moody series and Sisters Club trilogy

Excerpt from Just Like Me

The camp bus sputtered and chugged up the interstate, sounding as if this might be its last trip. Avery sat across the aisle from me with her earbuds on, practicing a Chinese vocabulary lesson. Becca sat next to her, chewing on a straw and watching a soccer match on her cell phone.

“Ni hao ma,” Avery said, her chin-length hair with bangs making her look studious in her thick, black-framed glasses.

When she saw me looking at her, she pulled out one earbud and offered it to me.

Did she really think I wanted to learn Chinese with her?

“Technically the lesson I’m working on is review, but I could teach you the basics if you want.”

I looked around at all the kids on the bus staring at her and shook my head.

“GO! GO! GO!” Becca yelled, pumping her fist in the air as she cheered for Spain’s soccer team.

Her hair spilled out of her ponytail as if she were playing in the soccer game instead of just watching it. “Booyah! Score!”

As kids stood up on the bus to see what all the yelling was about, I slid down in my seat, and the driver gave us that “death look” in her rearview mirror. The one that said, “If I have to stop this bus, somebody’s gonna get it…”

“Hey, Julia!” Becca yelled, holding up her phone. “Wanna watch with me? The game just went into overtime!”

“No thanks.”

Crowding around a tiny phone screen and watching people kick a soccer ball around was not my idea of fun.

My idea of fun was craft camp at the park district with my best friend, Madison, but Mom said I had the rest of the summer to do that.

Instead I was heading north toward Wisconsin to Camp Little Big Woods, but at least that was better than heading south toward Indiana for Summer Palace Chinese Culture Camp.

As soon as we “graciously” agreed to be the subjects of Ms. Marcia’s adoption article, she suggested that the three of us spend a week together making paper lanterns and learning the pinyin alphabet at culture camp.

“It will be a great way for you girls to reconnect not only with each other, but also with your heritage,” Ms. Marcia had gushed.

She loved treating us as if we were two instead of almost twelve.

But I said there was no way I was going to eat Chinese food three times a day and do tai chi every morning, so we settled on the sleepaway camp Avery and Becca went to every year.

I reached into the pocket of my suitcase and pulled out the plastic lacing of the gimp friendship bracelet I had started a few days ago. I had planned to finish it before camp so that I could give it to Madison when I said good-bye to her, but I’d run out of time. I decided I’d try to finish it while I was at camp and mail it to her along with a nice, long letter saying how much I missed her.

“Hey, Julia!” Becca yelled. “What’s that?”

“Nothing,” I said. “Just a friendship bracelet for my friend Madison.”

“COOL!” Becca yelled. “We should totally make those for each other in the arts-and-crafts room at camp.”

She went back to her straw-chewing and her tiny-phone-screen soccer game.

Friendship bracelets for the three of us? I guess “technically” as Avery would say, the three of us were friends. But even though “technically” I had known Avery and Becca longer than I had known my parents, I couldn’t imagine ever thinking of them as the friendship-bracelet kind of friends.

What are your thoughts on the Chinese proverb: “An invisible red thread connects those destined to meet regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break.”

Dear Ms. Marcia,

I’ve been hearing about this red thread for as long as I can remember, but I cannot imagine a thread, of any color—red, blue, purple, orange, or green—connecting Avery, Becca, and me. And if by some chance there really is a thread, I’m pretty sure this trip to camp might just be enough to snap that thing like an old rubber band, breaking it once and for all. Then that Chinese proverb would be history in a whole new way.

Julia

About the Author

NANCY J. CAVANAUGH is an award-winning author and former teacher and librarian at an elementary school. Nancy lives in Chicago, IL, with her husband and daughter but flies South to Florida for the winter. Visit nancyjcavanaugh.com for more.

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Win a copy of Just Like Me!

-US/CAN only

-ends 4/30

-there will be two winners

this giveaway is run by sourcebooks

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