CJ

CJ (or CJ Frog) is a male frog character who first appeared in JumpStart 2nd Grade. Edison is his best friend and partner, and they almost always appeared together prior to Edison being dropped from the series. He is generally depicted as an adventurer and explorer.

In the past, he and Edison were often the mascot characters for JumpStart's 2nd Grade media.

His home is Frog Manor, as depicted in several games.

Appearance
Originally in JumpStart 2nd Grade, CJ only wore a tan hat. His body was also more like that of an actual frog. In all later appearances, CJ's body is more human-like, and he has a more noticeable distinction between his head and torso.

In JumpStart Math for Second Graders, CJ wears light brown gloves and a white tunic with a light brown belt and collar. He is depicted with blue irises. In JumpStart Reading for Second Graders, CJ wears a light tan hat, a green vest over a brown shirt, and olive-green shorts. He is depicted with gray irises.

In the JumpStart Advanced series, CJ wears a tan vest over a white shirt and dark cream-colored pants.

In JumpStart workbooks, CJ's character design is identical to that in the Advanced series, except for the colortion of his hat, vest, and pants, which are all brown.

In the current JumpStart series, CJ has three forms, one for preschool/kindergarten, one for first grade, and one for second grade. In his preschool/kindergarten form, he is small and wears a white T-shirt, light brown shorts, and a brown backpack. He also wears a large tan hat which usually covers his eyes. In his first grade form, he is taller and skinnier, and wears a cream-colored shirt with elbow-length sleeves, light brown shorts, and a large tan hat which usually covers his eyes. He also has a whip attached to his belt. In his second grade form, his hat no longer covers his eyes, and he wears a light cream shirt with a light brown collar and rolled up sleeves, reddish-brown pants, a belt with a whip attached to one side and a fanny-pack like accessory attached to the other side, and brown boots.

Personality and Characteristics
CJ is adventurous, enthusiastic and optimistic, and has a passion for exploring. The JumpStart Blog says, "Brave, daring and energetic, CJ is always on the lookout for a good adventure. If there’s a lost treasure, a sunken ship or secret caverns, CJ will lead the expedition…even if it is all in his imagination."

CJ's profile in JumpStart World says, "CJ is an explorer. He can run, jump, and swim. But best of all, he likes to catch fish in the sea. CJ reads adventure books. CJ says, 'I get big ideas for adventures from my favorite books. '" According to other characters' JumpStart World profiles, CJ is best friends with Hopsalot and Kisha.

In the JumpStart Advanced series, CJ's unique learning style is 'The Explorer'. JumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade's manual says, "CJ teaches children using his naturalistic learning style. He's an expert at classifying and ordering the world around him."

On a now-defunct site for the JumpStart All-Stars, CJ's profile said, "CJ is fearless and loves nothing more than a good challenge. Accompanied by his firefly sidekick, Edison, CJ combs the natural world, classifying creatures and jotting down patterns in his field book. Mysteries are his passion, and he travels the world to solve them, meeting diverse people along the way. His desire to do good is matched only by his desire for adventure. Secretly, CJ would like to be an international spy when he grows up."

CJ has a habit of making somewhat unusual exclamations when he speaks, such as "Zounds!" and "Egads!".

Edison is CJ's best friend, partner, and constnat companion. Prior to Edison being dropped from the series, Edison appeared in virtually every product that CJ did.

CJ is sometimes depicted as liking to eat insects and arthropods like a real frog, while other games show him having a more human diet.

JumpStart 2nd Grade' (1996)'''
Using an elevator, CJ and Edison go to their clubhouse above the classroom after school and have adventures.

JumpStart Adventures 3rd Grade: Mystery Mountain' (1996)'''
CJ makes a cameo appearance on the Second Floor. If the user clicks on the frog in a fishbowl on the table, it will stand up and put on a hat, turning into CJ.

JumpStart Adventures 4th Grade: Haunted Island (1996)
CJ makes a cameo appearance in the woods.

JumpStart Math for Second Graders (1997)
CJ and Edison go on a quest to save a medieval kingdom from the villainous Ratso. CJ has the title of Royal Flycatcher, and he hopes to be promoted to a knight.

JumpStart Reading for Second Graders (1998)
CJ and Edison go on a quest to find the lost city of Ursulab. CJ and Edison must visit different locations to collect jewels that uncover the secrets of Ursulab. However, they must also confront CJ's nemesis Dr. Listick, who intends to find the city for his own selfish gain.

JumpStart Spelling (1998)
CJ ventures through a prehistoric setting to save Edison from some cavemen.

JumpStart Learning Games: Phonics (1999)
CJ and Edison appear in the Fire Station activity.

JumpStart Around the World (2000)
CJ and Edison are the player's travel buddies in the second grade version.

JumpStart Artist (2000)
CJ appears in the activity "CJ & Edison's Art Expeditions". Edison will ask for three objects. The player must maneuver CJ around the storage tent and collect the items that Edison wants.

JumpStart Explorers (2001)
CJ and Edison travel around the world to different locations in time to find CJ's nieces and nephews.

JumpStart Animal Adventures (2002)
CJ, his nieces and nephews, and Edison travel to different habitats to find and take photos of animals.

JumpStart Advanced Preschool (2002)
CJ is one of the JumpStart All-Stars. The player can select him as their partner and call him for help.

JumpStart Advanced Kindergarten (2002)
CJ is one of the JumpStart All-Stars. The player can select him as their partner and call him for help.

Disc 1: Fundamentals
The player can visit CJ at his house and play an activity, CJ's Swamp, there.

CJ is one of seven characters who can be selected to be the player's racer, and he has his own power-up, gadget, trick, and track. His power-up is Swamp Gas, his gadget is the Frog Leg Hoppers, and his trick is the Lily Pad Hop. His track is lined by magnifying glasses, and the surrounding areas various plants and ponds.

CJ is also one of the JumpStart All-Stars. The player can select him as their partner and call him for help.

Disc 1: Fundamentals
CJ and Edison are agents working for JumpStart Headquarters. They have to stop the schemes of the nefarious Dr. O. Together they travel around the world and collect gadget pieces for Hopsalot's inventions.

CJ is also one of the JumpStart All-Stars. The player can select him as their partner and call him for help.

Disc 2: Field Trip Adventure
CJ and Edison go on round-the-world trips and collect souvenirs.

Disc 3: Mystery Club Vol. 1
The player takes on detective cases with CJ. All of these cases involve finding out where Edison is hiding by investigating clues.

In Videos
CJ and Edison make a few cameos in JumpStart Preschool: Who Left the Juice in the Caboose?.

In JumpStart Kindergarten: Why Did the Bus Stop?, CJ and Edison are firefighters.

In Books
CJ appears in all the 2nd Grade workbooks and 2nd Grade Readers, as well as some other Readers.

Quotes

 * "I'm CJ, and my best friends, aside from Edison of course, are bugs and animals and plants. My favorite thing is to explore our world." - Self-introduction from JumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade
 * "I'm CJ the frog, and I'm the local adventurer. I love exploring! When I'm not out searching for treasure, you can usually find me by the movie house. I just love movies, don't you?" - Self-introduction from JumpStart Advanced Preschool: StoryLand

Trivia

 * According to the JumpStart Blog, CJ's initials stand for Calaveras Jumper.
 * Previously, CJ's full name was stated to be Calaveras Jumping Frog in JumpStart 2nd Grade and JumpStart Math for Second Graders.
 * This is likely a reference to Mark Twain's short story, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.
 * In JumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade, CJ's last name is stated to be Pond, which may be a James Bond reference considering the spy-centric nature of the game. In most other media, his last name is apparently Frog.
 * His Name is also changed to Basile in French Version & JJ in Spanish Version.