I agree with you completely, Playmofire. I've re-thought the multi-language books. On the downside, it consumes a lot of space, and the other hand it exposes kids to a bunch of different languages.
As a kid, I never even suspected Playmobil was a German toy (granted, Schaper's packaging of the product in the states made it seem to come from an American company).
I've never mastered complete disassembly of the small figures but I sometimes exchange their legs.
I guess you just poke the little connector dowel out with a pen or something?
Even with the white shoes, the dwarves do look good. I didn't like them from pictures, but think they look good when you actually have one in your hand.
-Tim