18th April International Day for Monuments and Sites

In 1982, April 18th was established as the International Day for Monuments and Sites by UNESCO’s General Conference. Many countries also celebrate the day as World Heritage Day. It aims to bring global attention to the absolute need to conserve monuments and sites as our cultural heritage and celebrate its diversity. 

From recent data, 1,154 World Heritage Sites (897 cultural, 218 naturals, and 39 mixed properties) and 1,121 monuments are listed in 167 countries.

 

That is certainly a lot to celebrate. There are children's books that celebrate the Wonders of the World, but here I want to look at some of the Australian sites that can be examined using picture books. Year 2 are doing a unit of inquiry this term that takes them round Australia looking at landforms, landscapes and the built environment. Many of the Heritage sites in Australia are natural wonders. While doing the Year 2 bulk loan I will include picture books that visit these sites.

Starting with this book which looks at how we can protect the natural wonders of the world. People have the right to enjoy the world’s natural features, but with this right comes responsibilities. For example, should we climb Uluru? 

Then all the Australian sites could be covered using Ellen Millen's four books which cover the Heritage sites.

Some Australian sites:

 

• Great Barrier Reef

• Kakadu 

• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

• Sydney Opera House 

• Macquarie Island

• Ningaloo Coast