D350 is a good camera, I doubt you would be disappointed in it. Also take a look at the Nikon D70 which is in the same class as the 350D and is also a great camera.

If you are going digital you will get the only book you really need with the camera...the owners manual. Carry it with you until you are used to the camera and read it when you get stuck on how to do something. You should be able to figure out most tech based things from that, the rest is in your eye and whether you can see a good shot or if all you see is snapshots.