Just to clarify (or confuse). The 4th string (closest to you) can be lower or higher than the 3rd. If you make it lower then you need a heavier string. I think I used a guitar G the last time I did that.

With the high 4 string it's a soprano uke and with the low one it's a tenor.

Tune it to the 1st to 4th strings on a guitar with a capo on either 5 or 7. Books I have mention which tuning a particular song uses. The chords are the same finger positions as the guitar.

Great instrument for a kid to start on. Melanie Doan started that way. I heard her play a mean version of "Don't Get Around Much Any More" on CBC a few months ago.

Uke trivia. Melanie's father manufactured ukes in the Maritimes and was successful in getting them accepted into the school system as a beginner instrument. I'd love to see a Doan Uke.