Thomas & Friends: Celebrating autism with Bruno the Brake Car

April is Autism Awareness Month, and Thomas & Friends is taking the opportunity to celebrate their newest character, Bruno the Brake Car.

Introduced in September 2023, Bruno is Mattel‘s first autistic character created for the beloved children’s series.

Thomas & Friends: A special engine with unique strengths

Bruno is a smart, relaxed, and joyful brake car who plays a vital role in keeping the trains on Sodor safe.

His unique perspective comes from traveling backwards at the end of the train, allowing him to see the world differently.

Detail-oriented and a stickler for routine, Bruno excels at schedules and navigating tracks, making him a trusted guide for his fellow engines.

Children of all backgrounds can enjoy Bruno’s adventures on the 26th season of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go. Beyond the screen, young fans can bring Bruno home as part of the Thomas & Friends engine assortment.

“Every child deserves to see themselves represented,“ says Murat Ariksoy, General Manager of Mattel South Asia.

“With Bruno, we hope to encourage acceptance and celebrate the joy in our differences. We also believe in fostering supportive communities.”

Mattel takes action: Initiatives for awareness

Mattel is committed to using its platform to promote autism awareness. Here are some key initiatives:

• Toy Library for NASOM: In collaboration with the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), a toy library featuring Bruno the Brake Car was established at the NASOM Butterworth chapter. Additionally, each child at the center received their own Bruno diecast model.
• Supporting B40 Communities: Partnering with Sunway Malls and Toys ‘R’ Us, Mattel created 100 “Autsome starter kits” filled with Thomas & Friends and Mattel toys, role-playing items, and books. These kits were donated to Early Autism Project Malaysia (EAP) to support outreach efforts in B40 communities.
• Free Bruno Die-Cast for Shoppers: During Autism Awareness Month, shoppers who spent over RM80 on Thomas & Friends toys at Toys ‘R’ Us received a free Bruno diecast model.

Fans of Thomas & Friends can experience even more of Bruno’s world! A special roadshow featuring Bruno and the other Sodor engines will be held at Sunway Pyramid, LG2, Central Avenue from June 11th to 17th.

By celebrating Bruno and his unique strengths, Thomas & Friends encourages inclusivity and celebrates the beauty of our differences. Join them in creating a more accepting and understanding world for all children.