First pet ?

la79al

DD1 claims she really wants a guinea pig for her birthday.  We got a few books from the library and she has picked out what kind.  I haven't actually read the books yet and I've never owned a guinea pig.  Anyone with experience think this would be a good first pet?  (We have 2 fish and we had a cat before but nothing small and furry for the girls to handle) I've had mice (too fast for a preschool) and rats (which would work) and was on the petfinder website and found some really cute gerbils (again, no experience). Any opinions? And yes, I realize that I will be doing most of the care and I am fine with that.