In the Schools | Rimes Early Learning and Literacy Center

Some see raccoons as nature’s bandits. These masked marauders are known for rifling through your trashcans 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,” a groundbreaking animated series that shines a light on neurodiversity through the adventures of Carl, an autistic raccoon with a gusto for collecting.

Can an autistic raccoon with a fondness for stockpiling find love among the elementary school set? We traveled to Rimes Early Learning and Literacy Center in Leesburg, Florida to find out how the show resonates with its young audience.