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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, 2023	Apr. 30, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021
Book Overdrafts [Abstract]
Bank Overdrafts	$ 14,600	$ 19,400
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	21,221
Current period provision	347
Amounts written off, less recoveries	(2,592)
Foreign exchange translation adjustments and other	(314)
Balance, end of period	18,662	21,221
Sales Return Reserves [Abstract]
Increase in Inventories, net	6,923	7,820
Decrease in Accrued royalties	(3,240)	(3,893)
Increase in Contract liabilities	24,582	31,135
Print book sales return reserve net liability balance	14,419	19,422
Inventories [Abstract]
LIFO Inventory Amount	16,600	20,600
Shipping and Handling Costs [Abstract]
Operating and administrative expenses	1,037,399	1,079,585	$ 1,022,660
Marketing and Advertising Expense [Abstract]
Advertising and Marketing Costs	93,385	100,572	93,646
Cost of Sales
Marketing and Advertising Expense [Abstract]
Advertising and Marketing Costs	55,907	62,889	56,956
Operating and administrative expenses
Marketing and Advertising Expense [Abstract]
Advertising and Marketing Costs	37,478	37,683	36,690
Shipping and Handling
Shipping and Handling Costs [Abstract]
Operating and administrative expenses	$ 27,100	$ 29,000	$ 27,800
Book composition costs \| Minimum
Product Development Assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	1 year
Book composition costs \| Maximum
Product Development Assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Other Product Development Costs \| Weighted Average
Product Development Assets [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	6 years
Computer Software \| Minimum
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Computer Software \| Maximum
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Computer Hardware \| Minimum
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Computer Hardware \| Maximum
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Buildings and Leasehold Improvements \| Maximum
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	40 years
Furniture, Fixtures, and Warehouse Equipment \| Minimum
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Furniture, Fixtures, and Warehouse Equipment \| Maximum
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Enterprise Resource Planning and Related Systems
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Software Development \| Minimum
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Software Development \| Maximum
Property Plant and Equipment Useful Life [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Content and publishing rights \| Weighted Average
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	27 years
Trademarks \| Weighted Average
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	15 years
Customer relationships \| Weighted Average
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	16 years
Brands \| Weighted Average
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	15 years
Developed technology
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	7 years
Covenants not to compete \| Weighted Average
Finite Lived Intangible Asset Useful Life [Abstract]
Estimated useful life	5 years
Performance-based Restricted Stock Awards
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