100% agree on the .22LR for a first time shooter, irrespective of size, stature, etc.
When I first became a gun owner, I went from PAL rated air rifles to 2 x .22s - a Ruger 10/22 and a Savage Mark II-G. Ammo was inexpensive and allowed me to shoot regularly at my then club - a rimfire/air rifle only club (which has now joined other clubs in the gun clubs in the sky). After that, the first shotgun I ever shot was a 12ga Browning of my friend's, which unfortunately my buddy decided to prank me and loaded it with 3 1/2" magnum shells. I am a small guy and let's just say I swore off any 12ga after that - until last year when I got one but that was 15+ years later after I have shot many different calibers.
The amount of practice I was able to get with those original 22s taught and under the instruction and comaraderie of other shooters at my club taught me many valuable lessons in shooting technique, etc., despite the fact that I was (and still am) a terrible shot. I think if I started with larger calibers, my interest may have waned quickly (not akin to my shooting my first handgun of a fellow range member's, on a higher caliber - it was very frustrating I didn't even hit paper at 25 yards with a .357 revolver and a couple of 9mms, but it was until I tried the Wrangler in .22 that I realized I should have used that first and got accustomed to the feel and sights, and doing so with no recoil definitely helps.
Of course, if funds permit you can get multiple rifles and start with the .22 and then move up and compare/contrast.