Thanks for all the great comments. DU'ers are the best, smartest, nicest folks I know!

I think the Canon will work for her. She has small hands so I think the feel will be OK for her. She is graduating with a degree in both Aerospace and Ocean Engineering so I think she can figure out the controls. I got a package from Newegg with a 18-55 mm F3.5 zoom lens. I might by her a 50 mm faster lens later. Also picked up a 2gig CF card. The links were very good at explaining the features. There is a $100 rebate deal on the Rebel until July.