Some see raccoons as nature's bandits.

These masked marauders are known for rifling through yourtrashcans under the cover of night, seeking to collect a big score. But there's one raccoon on PBS Kids who's not after your castoffs—he's capturing children's hearts instead.

Welcome to our special episode on “Carl the Collector,” agroundbreaking animated series that shines a light on neurodiversity through the adventures of Carl, an autistic raccoon with a gusto for collecting. On this episode, we'll explore the creative minds behind the show, hear from those whose lives it touches, and discuss the importance of representation in children's media.