Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Adorable animal friends and positive autism representation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 2+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Carl the Collector
What's the Story?
In CARL THE COLLECTOR, Carl (Kai Barham) is a warmhearted autistic kid raccoon who loves to collect different items. He is extremely detail-oriented and appreciates all the special qualities of his various collections, which range from fake mustaches to bottle caps. Whenever he has a problem, Carl calls up best friend Sheldon (Peter Laurie) the beaver with his walkie-talkie. Carl and Sheldon's other Fuzzytown friends—Lotta the fox, Forrest the squirrel, and twin bunnies Nico and Arugula—also join in on the day's adventures. They work together to help Carl with everyday problems like organizing his massive stuffed animal collection or tracking down his runaway bouncy ball collection. Carl's Mama (Heather Bambrick) guides the kids as they work through difficult problems and disagreements. They learn about each other's similarities and differences, and have lots of fun along the way.
Is It Any Good?
Creator Zachariah OHora (children's book writer and illustrator) calls his universe of characters "Fuzzytown," and Carl the Collector is sure to give kids and grown-ups the warm fuzzies. Its characters are super relatable: They try really hard to be good friends, but they don't always get it right. They have troubles that are recognizable to any young kid (like being asked to part with precious stuffed animals). The voice actors sound like real kids, making it seem like the characters could be a friend in real life. OHora's exquisite art is featured in the show's animation, and watching feels like jumping into a picture book. Grown-ups will appreciate the slow, calm pacing and overall gentleness of the show.
Carl the Collector is the first PBS Kids show to feature a main character on the autism spectrum, and it does a great job of showing how two different characters (Carl and supporting character Lotta) experience autism differently. It simultaneously shows true-to-life characteristics of people with autism, without calling out the differences in a way that feels othering. The neurotypical kids on the show treat the neurodiverse kids the same as their other friends, while having extra sensitivity to how Carl and Lotta interpret the world. It's a beautiful celebration of appreciating everyone's unique qualities.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the empathy characters show in Carl the Collector—when one character is able to understand the feelings of another character. Sheldon is really good at understanding how Carl is feeling, and helping him to work through tricky situations. Can you think of how Sheldon is empathetic to Carl?
All of the animals in Carl the Collector are really good at communicating how they're feeling. Can you think of a time in the story when one character told another one how they were feeling?
Carl and Lotta are on the autism spectrum, which means their brains and bodies experience the world differently than people who are not on the autism spectrum. How are your friends different from you? How do you find a way to play together even though you're different?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 14, 2024
- Cast : Heather Bambrick , Kai Barham , Peter Laurie
- Network : PBS Kids
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Empathy
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 16, 2025
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