Origin: An illuminating look at Indigenous peoples and their connection to the natural world.

by Nat Cardozo

64 pages, Hardcover

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[YSBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This amazing picture book is a window into the worlds of over twenty of the approximately 5,000 groups of Indigenous people on our planet. Most of them will be unfamiliar to readers, but that is the point of Cardozo’s book. For each group, she provides information about their territory, population, and language. 

The beautiful illustrations feature a child with images superimposed on them, showcasing the landscape, flora, fauna, and traditional dress of each indigenous group. It is through these children that we learn about how each of them lives, eats, celebrates, and communicates, among other things. These stories came from different data sources, which include testimonials from individuals. The artwork is breathtaking and unique; it appears that the illustrator works in multiple mediums to create her images, such as watercolor and pencils. The way the illustrator uses perspective and colors is stunning. It is remarkable how much information each section holds. This book will open the world to anyone who reads it and shows us how we are all different, but also how much we all have in common.

Included in the back of the book is a map of the world highlighting the locations of these 22 indigenous groups. There is also a section titled Learn More, Understand More, which offers additional information on a small selection of the indigenous peoples in the book. This book took the illustrator many years to complete; she also had supervision and assistance from several researchers and educators. This picture book was translated from the Spanish by Ian Farnes and Layla Benitez-James. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Origin is a highly innovative and thought-provoking book, beautifully and lyrically written and gorgeously and creatively illustrated. The stories of little-known Indigenous peoples around the world are told through the eyes of youthful members of these communities. Their stories reflect their people's care for and connection to the nature that surrounds and supports them, as well as details about their communities. It is an extraordinary, layered book with an essential and profound message about humankind and nature.
The author conveys a great deal of information and emotion so poetically in a few short paragraphs. Each word has been expertly crafted. The lyrical language becomes even more impressive when you realize that the book was translated from Spanish! The author is also the illustrator, and, again, their talent shines. Each picture of the children’s faces superbly captures the essence of each child as well as the natural elements of the land they inhabit.
This book shows us that we can learn much from Indigenous peoples about their respect for our earth. They know how to take what they need from the land, but also how to give back and care for it so it continues to sustain them.
“Perhaps it is time to remember that nature lives inside each of us and we all come from the same ORIGIN.”
This is an essential book for every library, educator, and family! Very highly recommended!
Thank you to Angus Yuen-Killick and Red Comet Press for providing me with a copy of this stunning book to review.
Read the whole review here: https://barefootlibrarian.com/feature...

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translated from Spanish to English, this may be my favorite nonfiction book this year....

Twenty-two indigenous people are representative of the more than five thousand who live on our planet. Each exhibits a sense of solidarity and mutual aid to their community and of avoiding excesses, being thankful for what you receive. Each person in this marginalized community knows that they are just a part in the enormity of our world. Of the 22, I was familiar with only 5 groups. (I'm sorry the Ayta/Aeta, Agta, or the Dumagat of the Philippines did not make this list.)

Each group of people is given a two-page spread in this oversized book, with the following information given: name of their group, the region of the world they reside, the approximate size of their population, and their language. A narrative of their beliefs is told from the subject's point of view and often includes descriptions of daily life, their diet, and beliefs. A closing statement by the subject accompanies a stylized image of the head of each subject, with detailed drawings of things from their culture or history on their face and hair.

Cardozo's text is fascinating! He has given a fresh voice to each culture, making is separate from the others. I could "hear" each speak with pride, as if giving an interview about themselves. The stylized images are breathtaking in beauty. Most of the heads are the same size, however the use of color on the faces, the shapes of the eyes, nose, ears, eyebrows, jaw, and hair makes each face unique.

A fascinating book to browse, but could be included in studies of primitive cultures and world studies.

Highly Recommended for grades 3-8.

[Kelly Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Origin is a luminous journey into the natural world through Indigenous eyes. Every page pulses with respect, wisdom, and wonder, showing how people and the environment are deeply intertwined.

A short but unforgettable exploration that inspires curiosity, empathy, and reverence for the Earth.