In an automaton themed volume, The Great Animator pits the predecessor to the Vaucanson great castle and realm against a huge army of ruthless invaders. The great castle's army of battle automatons evens the fight but at great cost. In the second story, The Inventor's Grimoire, the Vaucanson grimoire with the secrets of building automatons has disappeared! If it fell in the wrong hands, much harm could come of it. And indeed, it turns out the greedy Lord Delacour has snatched it with the intention of auctioning it off to the highest bidder!