My suggestion is to start learning some Python language. It's friendly for beginners and very good language for advanced prototyping. If you want go forward, you can expand your Python applications with C/C++.

Getting started with Python in general:

• Python for Non-Programmers
• Getting Started with Python

Some books I recommend:

• Hello World! - Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners (1)
• Core Python Programming
• Rapid GUI Programming with Python and Qt (2)
• Mobile Python: Rapid Prototyping of Applications on the Mobile Platform (3)

(1) Not just for kids! It is a good and fun introduction to the world of programming using Python language.
(2) PyQt4 is a set of Python bindings for Qt 4. PySide project is Nokia’s PyQt replacement for Maemo and maintain API compatibility with PyQt (e.g. you can use the same method names). To import PySide you have to use “import PySide” instead of “import PyQt4″.
(3) Good book that explains how to program fun mobile applications on Symbian OS (not on Maemo). Go to web site and I truly recommend to browse examples. Might give some ideas also on Maemo

Then Maemo and Python links:

• Maemo 5 Developer Guide (1)
• Quick Start Guide to PyMaemo
• PyMaemo (Official)
• Articles about Python development for Maemo
• One old example
• Python Programming Language (Official site)
• PyQt
• PySide project
• PyGame project (2)

(1) Overall picture of the maemo 5 platform...
(2) If you're interested about 2D games or making such...

I hope these links help you to get started! Welcome to exciting world of Maemo development!