Can you reccomend a high quality(professional grade) camera for a novice photographer?

I breed puppoes for children with developmental disabilities. Pictures of the children with the pups are priceless as they generate emotion and donations as a result. I want a camera that is simple enough for someone who knows very little about cameras to use. The camera I have now is a 4 megapixel canon powershot s40. The pictiure quality ios not that great.

I would highly recommend the Nikon D40x. It is as easy to use as a point-and-shoot but it has the following advantages:
1) 10.2 megapixel sensor for great resolution
2) Uses Nikon interchangable lenses for tremendous versatility. I think you should get the 18-200mm zoom. It's all the lens you'll ever need for your purposes.
3) It has programmed exposure and various automatic and scene modes so you can tackle difficult lighting conditions without having to know how to.
4) It has a built-in flash too
5) All for under $1000

Good luck!

Charlie,
I own a Nikon D200 which is a supurb camera but possible more than you are looking for. I also one an older version of the Sony CyberShot DSC - the more recent version is the Sony CyberShot DSC-F717. These take excelent sharp photos and are just a step above the pocket type "point and shoot" cameras and much cheaper that the interchangeable lens DSLR cameras which require a degree of user input and knowledge. Look on this link: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/%20INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=dcc_DIDigitalCameras_style_fullfeatured&Dept=cameras
You probably need a camera with some type of zoom lens to get close to the kids and puppies but not necessarily too close where you become a distraction. The Cybershot range of cameras gives you these abilities and they are priced around $400.
Good luck with the photos and the kids. (Send me a picture when you get your new camera)
Ian