As a newbie, Python has my vote for beginners. It is easy to get started with some quick and satisfying scripts but tricky to learn good OOP form. That's why I highly recommend the Programming Python Part 1 article that just came out in the June 2007 Linux Journal. You can use some of the sections in it to explain classes and instances to the kids.
And I'd cast a second vote for www.diveintopython.org. Teresa
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