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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Apr. 30, 2021 | Apr. 30, 2020 | Apr. 30, 2019
Basis of Presentation [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Intercompany receivables |  | $ 188,800 |  |
Book Overdrafts [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Book overdrafts |  | 25,800 | $ 7,400 |
Sales Return Reserves [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Increase in Inventories, net |  | 10,886 | 8,686 |
Decrease in Accrued royalties |  | (4,949) | (4,441) |
Increase in Contract liabilities |  | 38,034 | 32,769 |
Print book sales return reserve net liability balance |  | (22,199) | (19,642) |
Inventories [Abstract] |  |  |  |
LIFO inventories |  | 20,400 | 24,300 |
Shipping and Handling Costs [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Operating and administrative expenses |  | 1,022,660 | 997,355 | $ 963,582
Advertising and Marketing Costs [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Advertising and Marketing Costs |  | 93,600 | 103,100 | 89,500
Cost of Sales [Member] |  |  |  |
Advertising and Marketing Costs [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Advertising and Marketing Costs | [1] | 57,000 | 65,800 | 53,700
Operating and Administrative Expenses [Member] |  |  |  |
Advertising and Marketing Costs [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Advertising and Marketing Costs |  | $ 36,600 | 37,300 | 35,800
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] |  |  |  |
Product Development Assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  | 1 year |  |
Book Composition Costs [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |
Product Development Assets [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  | 3 years |  |
Other Product Development Costs [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |  |
Product Development Assets [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 |  |
Shipping and Handling [Member] |  |  |  |
Shipping and Handling Costs [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Operating and administrative expenses |  | $ 27,800 | $ 28,800 | $ 32,700
Content and Publishing Rights [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  | 28 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 |  | 17 years |  |
Brands [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] |  |  |  |
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  | 13 years |  |
Developed Technology [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 |  |
[1] | This includes certain advertising and marketing costs incurred by our Education Services business to fulfill performance obligations from contracts with educational institutions.

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