I remember reading a book as a child with the most gorgeous illustrations. It was more picture book style than novel. The bits I remember are:
It was set in the Amazon rainforest or similar place
Boys in the tribe were sent on a right of passage
The protagonist is sent on his right of passage and told not to return to the tribe until he has found the most beautiful thing in the rainforest
During his journey he encounters many beautiful animals, birds, plants, flowers etc.
He also comes across large areas of deforestation and the westerners who are working there. Possibly that part was worded to imply it was wrong and they were destroying the jungle
The conclusion is that he returns to his tribe unable to decide what is the most beautiful thing because it all is and the elder(s) say that that is the right answer and the point of the quest.
I remember all the vivid colours and beautiful drawings of the parrots, frogs, flowers etc.
I'm 27 so we're talking about a book doing the rounds in the late 90s/early 2000s.
Anyone got any idea what I'm talking about?