I frankly favor the Larry for sound, construction, and asthetic reasons but I have a good friend who is regularly using a Tacoma Papoose. Important thing is that any of the three (Larry, Taylor, Tacoma, and to some extent even the Martin) are actually quality built guitars.
I do kinda like the small body Gibson idea. You have value that might stay with the instrument, a family instrument (not a child's guitar), and a good instrument. Incidentally, I learned on a small Gibson when I was a child and, though I am an oversized goober now, I was a small kid.