Gr 4-6-Problems abound in this British import. A photographer's plane crashes near an unidentified third-world society where the people speak English. Having managed to save only his Polaroid camera, the man gets off to a shaky start in his new surroundings by blinding the villagers with his flash, but soon impresses them with his "magic painting." He then debates with them over how to use his remaining nine shots. In the process, he marvels over their cultural differences and discusses the value of photography. Only after the final shot is taken does he remember his own family and, conveniently, get rescued. The comical hand-drawn illustrations of each photograph are not enough to save this story. Conflict is lacking, and the photographer's apathy toward finding medical attention or returning home after his crash will test the most generous readers' suspension of disbelief. The characters are undeveloped, and the constant repetition of the word "primitive" is annoying. Finally, a tacked-on insinuation that the village and the people were merely a dream is a complete letdown.-Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.