What is the difference between the Nikon d40 and d3000? How about the lens'?

I want to get a SLR camera, my first (I'm a beginner). I know the d3000 is newer and slightly more expensive, but they both come with 18 - 55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Are the lens' the same? And I know the d3000 camera has more MP, but I know that really doesn't matter. Are there any other significant differences? Which is better and why?

As a beginner, you will never see the difference between the two. The lenses are nearly identical, but again, you can shoot with both and get the same results.

Buy the D40 and start saving for a second lens like the 55-300 mm zoom (repriced to a lower cost) so you can expand your shooting range.

Not really, as you said, there are more MP in the nikon d3000. And they do have the same 18-55 lens. I own a nikon d3000 and i actually like it. Only thing i wish it had was video recording but i guess what you pay for. I also think the d40 has a slightly smaller screen.

The lens in the D3000 is VR while D40's kit lens is not VR. The D40 can perform better than D3000 in low light.

One has more pixel than the other one.
one has the dial wheel in the back.
erm, menus are different.
as a beginner, that's probably the only thing you need to know!
My head will say get the canon and experiment and built up from there.
the body is as cheap as chips and you can always use it when you upgrade body (as a second body you'd take wherever you don't want to go with your fancy new body!).
lenses are comparable, the nikon is stabilised, not sure for the canon.