Definatly try wings3D, I have seen the most relistic models come out of it, and I myself have produced my best models in it, and I am stil very amatuer. I just started in thsi area about two years ago right after high school, and I fni dwings to be the best tool too learn on, mainly cuase its fre and yo dont spend the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Now this will only let you model, not make those facny images everyone makes, for that you need a real renderer, but as spike said, there are free trials on al of them just about, but I suggest Corels Byce since it is the one of the best for its price at only $80(and it is compatible with those wings3D models) Some programs like 3Ds MAx will run you about 2 grand or up. Also, if your looking for Power, and have a powerful computer, Maya has a learning edition of there software and its free too, but needs a pretty hefty computer to run, a minumum of 512 Ram or it wont even let you open the program. Maya is one of the top modeling/rendering/animation tools out there. Now, if its not 3d modling and rendering that your daugter is into, but more alog the lines of painting and 3d art, then the Photoshop series is a good one to learn on, since they have almost limitless support in the form of online guides, tutorials, and tons upon tons of books and training CD's, and you get get Photoshop 5(anolder version) for pretty cheap, although Photoshop 7 will run you about $600. Adobe's Illustrator is also a good one. Ther might be some cheaper ones but I am not to familair with them. Sorry for the long winded reply, but In short, try teh free ones first, then go from there.

oh, nice picture too

Kind makes me not want to do this challenge :/

Jsut some advise, a GREAT program to use to carveor "engrave" somthing is Bryce. You can either make a grey scale in Photoshop and import it, or use teh terrian editor in bryce directly(photoshop would be easier to make the grey scale casue you can use teh text tool). It also turns out really great. If you don't have Bryce, then download teh free trial fomr Corel, i am sure 30 days would be enough to learn to use it. For help, just check for tutorials. Here is an example using teh terrain editor. I know this is a photoshop forum, but i still wouldliek to help. And besides, you CAN use photoshop(many ppl do) to carve out the initial design using greays and white.