Pierre

Pierre (also known as Pierre Polar Bear or Pierre the Bear in the past) is a male bear character who first appeared in JumpStart Preschool (1995). He was originally depicted as a polar bear, but he was changed to a be a panda bear in JumpStart Phonics: Read & Rhyme released in 2005. He is usually shown (at least since 1999) to be an avid musician.

In the past, he was often a mascot character for JumpStart's Preschool media, alongside Kisha, Eleanor and Casey (see also: Preschool Gang).

Appearance
Pierre was originally depicted as a small white polar bear with blue eyes wearing a red and yellow striped cap. In JumpStart Preschool (1999), he also wears blue overalls.

In the JumpStart Advanced series, he wore a blue cap with yellow and green stripes, blue overalls over an orange T-shirt, and red and white sneakers.

In JumpStart 3D Virtual World, Pierre is a panda bear. He has dark blue arms, legs, ears, and rings around his eyes, while his face and belly are white. He 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 pink vest and a large purple belt with a gold buckle. In his first grade form, he is essentially the same but a little bigger, and he also wears a pink cap and pink pants. In his second grade form, he is even bigger and wears a dark purple cap, dark purple pants, and a gold necklace.

Personality and Characteristics
A biography for Pierre on the old Knowledge Adventure site pertaining to his appearance in JumpStart Preschool (1995) stated that his favorite hobby is bicycling, his favorite food is French fried ice cream, and his favorite school subject is spelling.

In JumpStart Preschool (1999), Pierre is often hungry and likes to cook. He especially likes peanut butter. His affinity for peanut butter sandwiches has also appeared in other games. He also likes to tell jokes, which apparently Eleanor thinks are corny.

Starting in the JumpStart Advanced series, Pierre has been depicted as having a strong affinity for music, and particularly playing musical instruments. He tended to be seen playing the drum more than any other instrument, especially in the JumpStart All Stars learning tutor feature. His JumpStart All Stars learning type is 'The Musician'. The HTML manuals for JumpStart Advanced Preschool through 2nd Grade say, "Pierre teaches children using his musical learning style. He explains things through musical elements and songs." An online quiz for the JumpStart All-Stars also says, "Pierre's always got a song in his head. His notes, tempos, and melodies make musical learners sing!"

On a now-defunct site for the JumpStart All Stars, Pierre's profile said, "The whole world is a prop for Pierre's songs and games. He is extremely playful and has difficulty focusing on lessons or instructions unless they are presented in a fun and playful manner. When he's not indulging his passion for peanut butter sandwiches, he can be found with his drumsticks tapping out a rhythm on any available surface. When Pierre grows up, he wants to continuing playing--games and music!"

Before he came to be depicted as a panda bear, Pierre was sometimes associated with snow and wintry environments, and seemed to enjoy playing in the snow.

Pierre's profile in JumpStart World says, "Pierre loves to play the flute, and listen to music. He can use music to solve puzzles. Pierre is a good friend to everyone. Pierre says, 'Friends and music make me a very happy Scout!' " According to Eleanor's JumpStart World profile, she and Pierre are good friends.

The Jumpstart Blog says, "Music is Pierre’s passion. He loves to dance and is never without his headphones or tambourine. With a new tune in his head every day, Pierre certainly moves to the beat of his own drum!"

JumpStart Preschool (1995)
Pierre is one of the main characters. He mainly appears in the Pierre's Picture activity, where there are four Pierres, and the player must pick out which Pierre is different from the rest. He also appears to give instructions in the Doll House and Jigsaw Puzzle activities.

JumpStart Pre-K (1996)
Pierre appears in the Carousel activity.

JumpStart Adventures 4th Grade: Haunted Island (1996)
Pierre has a cameo appearance in the woods. He can't be interacted with.

JumpStart Preschool (1999)
Pierre is one of the main characters. In the "Mix and Match Book" activity, Pierre puts on different outfits, and the player has to find the pages in his book that match the outfit he's wearing. In the "Kitchen" activity, the player helps Pierre cook by giving him ingredients.

JumpStart ABC's (1999)
Pierre appears in the Tuna Mountain activity. The player helps him sled down Tuna Mountain.

JumpStart Learning System: Phonics (1999)
Pierre is one of the campers at Camp Readalot. He appears in the Vowel Bees activity.

JumpStart Around the World (2000)
Pierre is one of the player's travel buddies in the preschool version. He also appears in the Boat Afloat activity.

JumpStart Artist (2000)
Unlike most of the other characters in this game, Pierre doesn't have his own activity, nor does he appear on the main screen. However, he appears in the audience when a movie plays in the "Frankie's Paint-Along Songs" activity. He also appears in some of the movie clips in that activity as well.

JumpStart Languages (2001)
Pierre is associated with Chloe in the French Pavilion, and he translates the stories from French to English. He also translates certain French words in challenge mode when Chloe either tells the player where the flag is or asks for a certain piece of clothing, if the player clicks on him.

JumpStart Explorers (2001)
Pierre can be seen on the rainy day craft pages.

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

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

Disc 1: Fundamentals
The player can visit Pierre at his house and play an activity, Pierre's Polar Test Track, there. For the scooter race, Pierre has his own specific power-up, gadget, trick, and track. His power-up is the Ice Crystal, his gadget is the Snowball Thrower, and his trick is the Ice Loop. His track is lined by ice blocks, and the surrounding areas have snow and pine trees.

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

Disc 1: Fundamentals
Pierre is an agent at JumpStart Headquarters.

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

JumpStart Sing-Along Time (2003)
This is the last game where Pierre is a polar bear. He makes a cameo in the intro song.

JumpStart Pet Rescue (2009)
Pierre is one of the main characters and local residents.

JumpStart Crazy Karts (2011)
Pierre is one of the characters that the player can choose to be their racer.

In Videos
Pierre is a main character in JumpStart Preschool: Who Left the Juice in the Caboose?.

In Books
Pierre appears in all the Pre-K workbooks and Pre-K Readers, as well as some other Readers.

Quotes

 * "I'm Pierre. I love different kinds of sounds; sounds from nature, sounds from machines, and most of all, sounds from musical instruments, like my drum." - Self introduction from JumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade

Trivia

 * Pierre originally had a French accent in JumpStart Preschool (1995) and JumpStart Pre-K, but he lacks an accent in all of his other appearances.
 * However, in the JumpStart Advanced series, he is depicted as having somewhat of a Southern accent.
 * Pierre is called Peter in the UK releases of the JumpStart Advanced series.
 * Pierre is probably named after the capital of South Dakota.
 * Pierre and Kisha are the 2 characters to change species in JumpStart Phonics: Read & Rhyme.
 * How Pierre changed from a polar bear to a panda bear is a mystery. No clues are given in any games.