I have read a few reviews of the 1000D and it looks very nice, even if it is a little on the small side! but saying that it's packed with features for such a small camera. I think if I had to chose a Canon for an entry level DSLR I would, like a lot have said before me, go for the 450D.
When I bought my Nikon D40 I didn’t, like most men lol, realise the importance of size!! Lol but a bigger camera does feel better and the extra weight helps to steady the camera