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v3.20.1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Apr. 30, 2020 | Apr. 30, 2019 | Apr. 30, 2018
Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract] |  |  |
Cost of sales | $ 591,024 | $ 554,722 | $ 531,024
Operating and administrative expenses | 997,355 | 963,582 | 953,222
Book Overdrafts [Abstract] |  |  |
Book overdrafts | 7,400 | 7,400 |
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract] |  |  |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | 18,300 | 14,300 |
Sales Return Reserves [Abstract] |  |  |
Increase in Contract liabilities | (19,642) | (18,542) |
Inventories [Abstract] |  |  |
LIFO inventories | 24,300 | 21,000 |
Advertising Expense [Abstract] |  |  |
Advertising costs | 103,100 | 89,500 | 68,300
Shipping and Handling [Member] |  |  |
Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract] |  |  |
Cost of sales | 28,800 | 32,700 | 33,700
Operating and administrative expenses | 28,800 | 32,700 | 33,700
Cost of Sales [Member] |  |  |
Advertising Expense [Abstract] |  |  |
Advertising costs | 65,800 | 53,700 | 38,300
Operating and Admin Expenses [Member] |  |  |
Advertising Expense [Abstract] |  |  |
Advertising costs | 37,300 | 35,800 | $ 30,000
Inventories, Net [Member] |  |  |
Sales Return Reserves [Abstract] |  |  |
Increase in Contract liabilities | 8,686 | 3,739 |
Accrued Royalties [Member] |  |  |
Sales Return Reserves [Abstract] |  |  |
Increase in Contract liabilities | (4,441) | (3,653) |
Contract Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Sales Return Reserves [Abstract] |  |  |
Increase in Contract liabilities | $ 32,769 | 25,934 |
Computer Software [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 3 years |  |
Computer Software [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 10 years |  |
Computer Hardware [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 3 years |  |
Computer Hardware [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 5 years |  |
Building and Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 40 years |  |
Furniture, Fixtures and Warehouse Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 5 years |  |
Furniture, Fixtures and Warehouse Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 10 years |  |
Enterprise Resource Planning and Related Systems [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 10 years |  |
Book Composition Costs [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 1 year |  |
Book Composition Costs [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 3 years |  |
Other Product Development Costs [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 6 years |  |
Software Development [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 3 years |  |
Software Development [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 5 years |  |
Content and Publishing Rights [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 34 years |  |
Trademarks [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 13 years |  |
Customer Relationships [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 16 years |  |
Brands [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 13 years |  |
Developed Technology [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 7 years |  |
Non-compete Agreements [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |
Estimated useful life | 5 years |  |
Performance-based Stock Awards [Member] |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Abstract] |  |  |
Target period for stock-based compensation expense in advance of actual financial results | 3 years |  |
Correction in Presentation of Certain Consideration Received for Services Not Yet Performed [Member] | Revision of Prior Period, Adjustment [Member] |  |  |
Prior Period Adjustments [Abstract] |  |  |
Increase in accounts receivable, net |  | 11,800 |
Increase in contract liabilities |  | $ 11,800 |

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