You should get VB8, really
I started with VB8 and had no problem with C++
especially when you learn C++ you are gonna use Visual C++ 8, which whill share language with VB8
so if you are going to switch the language, you should just switch it now.
(easier to find guides for VB8 too.
if you are in US, you can always go to Barns and Nobles Bookstore, bring your laptop and read the guide there w/o buying the book; also, they have a whole shelf of books just for VB8, 1 book for VB7, and none for VB6)