What lens is recommended for portraits 18-55 or 55-200?

I have a Nikon D60 and only the above lenses. I'm going to take some pics of my daughter outside. I'm a novice and would love some input!

The 55 mm focal length is a good portrait lens length.

Since the 55-200 mm f/stop at 55 is slightly larger than the one on the 18-55 mm lens, I would suggest you shoot using the 55-200 mm lens to control the depth of field (keeping the background out of focus)

Since you have both lenses, why don't you try both and see how it goes.

The lowest you should ever go for a portrait is 50mm. When you get much lower than that, the subject tends to look distorted. I'd only use your 55-200mm for portraits.

Anything above 50mm.

Ideally it should also be a fast lens (ie capable of a wide maximum aperture -f2.8 or wider).

A 50mm f1.8 or 85mm f1.8 are ideal. Out of your two choices it would be the 55mm-200mm.