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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