Lerner Publishing Group
Lerner Publishing Group is a Minneapolis-based, independently owned children's book publisher founded in 1959, operating 7,000+ titles across multiple imprints (Carolrhoda, Kar-Ben, Magination Press, Millbrook Press) plus acquired Gecko Press and Sundance Newbridge, serving PreK-8 schools, educators, libraries, and families with print and digital educational content.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1959
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lerner Publishing Group does
Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. is a privately held, independently owned children's book publisher founded in 1959 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company operates one of the largest independent children's catalogs in the United States with more than 7,000 titles in print, organized across multiple imprints (Carolrhoda Lab, Carolrhoda Books, Kar-Ben Publishing, Magination Press, Millbrook Press) plus acquired brands Gecko Press and Sundance Newbridge Publishing, serving PreK-8 educational markets with fiction, nonfiction, picture books, graphic novels, STEM, diversity, and social-emotional learning content.
The company's technology stack centers on a publishing platform spanning print (trade hardcover, library-bound hardcover, paperback, board book) and digital formats (multi-user eBooks, eBooks with audio, audiobooks, interactive books, databases), delivered through the Lerner Digital platform and Lerner Digital Bookshelf, supplemented by the eSource free teaching guide portal aligned to Common Core, Page Plus interactive web features, Audisee audio with synchronized text highlighting, and Augmented Reality overlays on select titles. The technology is primarily content delivery and educator resource infrastructure rather than AI-driven systems.
Lerner generates revenue primarily through one-time/perpetual book sales across formats, priced between $6.99 and $46.65 depending on format, with a 25% direct-purchase discount on library-bound hardcovers and eBooks via lernerbooks.com. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer e-commerce, major U.S. book wholesalers/distributors for retail and institutional channels, and regional distribution in the UK and Australia/New Zealand inherited from Gecko Press. Customers span three primary segments: schools and PreK-8 educators (curriculum-aligned content), individual consumers and families (retail purchases), and public/school libraries (collection building). Recent revenue streams include digital subscriptions and educational/professional development resources. Founder Harry Lerner continues to lead the company as CEO.
Lerner Publishing Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lerner Publishing Group
- Legal name
- Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
- Website
- https://lernerbooks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1959
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Lerner Publishing Group is a Minneapolis-based, independently owned children's book publisher founded in 1959, operating 7,000+ titles across multiple imprints (Carolrhoda, Kar-Ben, Magination Press, Millbrook Press) plus acquired Gecko Press and Sundance Newbridge, serving PreK-8 schools, educators, libraries, and families with print and digital educational content.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lerner Publishing Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Book Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Children’s Subscription & Book Club Publishing (MPAJAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- K–12 Textbook Publishing (Core Curriculum) (MPAJABAA), E-book Subscription & Bundling Services (MPAJAMAB)
Keywords
Where Lerner Publishing Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Lerner Publishing Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Book Sales: Revenue from selling physical and digital books across multiple formats including trade hardcovers, library-bound hardcovers, paperbacks, board books, eBooks, audiobooks, and interactive books. Direct sales offer 25% off list price on library-bound hardcovers and all eBook editions.
- Digital Subscriptions: Lerner Digital platform providing access to eBooks and databases with potential subscription-based access for institutions.
- Educational Resources: Professional development materials and educator resources including teaching guides and webinar content.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Trade Hardcover |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Library Bound Hardcover |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Multi-user eBook |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Audiobook |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Audisee Fluent |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Lerner Publishing Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lerner Publishing Group is one of the nation's largest independently owned children's book publishers, producing and selling more than 7,000 fiction and nonfiction titles for the PreK-8 educational market across multiple imprints (Carolrhoda Lab, Carolrhoda Books, Kar-Ben Publishing, Magination Press, Millbrook Press) and acquired brands (Sundance Newbridge Publishing, Gecko Press, Zest Books). The company distributes its titles in trade hardcover, library-bound hardcover, paperback, board book, multi-user eBook, eBook with audio, audiobook, and interactive book formats, supplemented by the Lerner Digital platform, Lerner Digital Bookshelf, eSource free teaching guides, Page Plus enhanced features, Audisee audiobooks, and augmented reality content.
Product overview
Lerner Publishing Group is one of the nation's largest independently owned children's publishers with more than 7,000 books in print. The company operates a core publishing business organized into multiple imprints (Carolrhoda Lab ®, Carolrhoda Books ®, Kar-Ben Publishing ®, Magination Press ®, Millbrook Press ™) plus acquired brands (Sundance Newbridge Publishing, Gecko Press), offering fiction and nonfiction titles across formats including trade hardcover, library bound hardcover, paperback, board book, and digital (multi-user eBook, eBook with Audio, audiobook, interactive book, database). Digital offerings include Lerner Digital platform, Lerner Digital Bookshelf for content access, Lerner eSource for free teaching guides, Page Plus™ for enhanced online resources, and Audisee® for audio-enhanced reading. The company serves PreK-8 education markets with content spanning picture books, graphic novels, decodables, STEM, diversity, and social emotional learning categories.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Carolrhoda Lab: Imprint publishing young adult fiction including The Red Car to Hollywood
- Lerner Digital
- eSource
- Magination Press
- Kar-Ben Publishing
- Lerner Publisher Services
Products and services
- Lerner Digital Digital platform offering multi-user eBooks, eBooks with audio, audiobooks, and database access for educational institutions and libraries.
- Lerner Digital Bookshelf Digital platform for accessing and managing purchased Lerner eBooks and digital content.
- Lerner eSource Free digital teaching and learning resources including Common Core State Standards teaching guides, online activities, and downloadable graphic organizers for classroom use.
- Carolrhoda Lab Imprint publishing innovative young adult fiction, including award-winning titles such as 'The Red Car to Hollywood' and 'Sometimes the Girl'.
- Carolrhoda Books Award-winning imprint publishing diverse children's books including social studies, picture books, and multicultural content such as 'Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret'.
- Kar-Ben Publishing Imprint specializing in Jewish children's books including holiday titles like 'Hanukkah Around the World' and related educational content.
- Magination Press Imprint publishing books on social emotional learning, mental health, and child development, including titles such as 'Rhythm' and 'My Wandering Dreaming Mind'.
- Millbrook Press Imprint publishing STEM and curriculum-aligned nonfiction including the Words Are CATegorical series and poetry collections like 'Rainbow Soup: Adventures in Poetry'.
- Sundance Newbridge Publishing Acquired children's publisher adding over 3,600 titles and educational kits to Lerner's portfolio; operates as a division of Lerner Publishing Group.
- Gecko Press Award-winning children's publisher based in Wellington, New Zealand; operates as an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group maintaining international character with distribution in UK and Australia/New Zealand.
Quantifiable outcome
- Lerner titles have won multiple ALA Youth Media Awards, Kirkus starred reviews, and other industry recognitions.
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Lerner Publishing Group
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lerner Publishing Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Lerner Publishing Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Sesame WorkshopflagshipLerner Publishing Group is one of multiple publishing partners releasing new Sesame Street-themed titles focused on social and emotional learning topics for young children and caregivers as part of Sesame Workshop's emotional well-being initiative.
- Sundance Newbridge PublishingcoreAcquired from Globe Pequot Publishing, Sundance Newbridge Publishing operates as a division of Lerner Publishing Group. The acquisition added more than 3,600 titles and educational kits to Lerner's portfolio, with all staff retained. Operations maintained in Massachusetts until relocation to Minnesota in early 2025.
- Globe Pequot PublishingminorSeller of Sundance Newbridge Publishing to Lerner Publishing Group. Transaction occurred shortly after Globe Pequot sold its academic publishing business to Bloomsbury for $83 million.
- Gecko PresscoreAward-winning children's publisher based in Wellington, New Zealand, acquired by Lerner and operating as an imprint. Gecko Press maintains international character with acquisitions managed in New Zealand and distribution partnerships in UK and Australia/New Zealand. 16-18 new titles planned for 2024.
- UK and Australia/New Zealand Distribution PartnersminorDistribution partnerships maintained by Gecko Press in UK and Australia/New Zealand markets.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lerner Publishing Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Candlewick Press: Independent children's publisher with a strong picture book and middle-grade catalog and award-winning titles. Most direct independent-publisher analog to Lerner, competing for library adoptions, awards, and shelf placement in the trade and educational children's market.
- Chronicle Books: Independent publisher with a notable children's catalog (including picture books and gift titles) and a strong direct-to-consumer presence. Comparable as a privately held, design-led independent publisher with a focused children's line.
- Highlights for Children: Children's media company with a long-running children's magazine, book publishing, and educational products. Comparable in serving the PreK-8 family and educator market with a mix of books, digital content, and learning resources.
- Charlesbridge Publishing: Independently owned publisher focused on educational and curriculum-aligned children's books with a strong STEM and nonfiction catalog. Direct comparable to Lerner's Millbrook Press and eSource-driven approach to school and library sales.
- Albert Whitman & Company: Independent children's publisher serving the school and library market with social-emotional and diverse titles. Comparable in scale, independent ownership, and reliance on institutional channels; overlaps with Lerner's Magination Press and diversity/SEL catalog.
- ABRAMS Books: Independent publisher with a substantial children's and YA catalog and a strong gift/coffee-table book business. Comparable as an independently owned publisher with a broad children's list and a similar direct-to-consumer orientation.
Broad incumbents
- Scholastic: Largest US children's book publisher and operator of school book fairs and classroom book clubs. Direct comparable in the PreK-8 educational and trade children's market, but with vastly greater scale and a unique school-based distribution channel Lerner cannot match.
- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers: Big Five children's imprint covering picture books through YA, including award-winning and diverse titles. Direct overlap in trade children's categories where Lerner also competes for library adoptions and review recognition.
- HarperCollins Children's Books: Major children's imprint under News Corp's HarperCollins, publishing across picture books, middle grade, and YA. Comparable in children's catalog breadth but competes from a position of significantly greater scale and global reach than Lerner.
- Penguin Random House Children's Books: Big Five children's division encompassing imprints such as Dial, Grosset & Dunlap, and Razorbill. Competes with Lerner across trade picture books, middle grade, and YA while offering far greater marketing, global distribution, and author advances.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lerner Publishing Group social profiles
Digital presenceLerner Publishing Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lerner Publishing Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Lerner Publishing Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Lerner Publishing Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lerner Publishing Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lerner Publishing Group
What does Lerner Publishing Group do?
Lerner Publishing Group is one of the nation's largest independently owned children's book publishers, producing and selling more than 7,000 fiction and nonfiction titles for the PreK-8 educational market across multiple imprints (Carolrhoda Lab, Carolrhoda Books, Kar-Ben Publishing, Magination Press, Millbrook Press) and acquired brands (Sundance Newbridge Publishing, Gecko Press, Zest Books). The company distributes its titles in trade hardcover, library-bound hardcover, paperback, board book, multi-user eBook, eBook with audio, audiobook, and interactive book formats, supplemented by the Lerner Digital platform, Lerner Digital Bookshelf, eSource free teaching guides, Page Plus enhanced features, Audisee audiobooks, and augmented reality content.
Is Lerner Publishing Group a public or private company?
Lerner Publishing Group is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Lerner Publishing Group founded?
Lerner Publishing Group was founded in 1959. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Lerner Publishing Group based?
Lerner Publishing Group is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lerner Publishing Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Book Sales are the primary driver. The others are digital Subscriptions and educational Resources.
Who are Lerner Publishing Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Candlewick Press, Chronicle Books, Highlights for Children, Charlesbridge Publishing, Albert Whitman & Company and ABRAMS Books. Broad incumbents are Scholastic, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, HarperCollins Children's Books and Penguin Random House Children's Books.
Does Lerner Publishing Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lerner Publishing Group.
What industry is Lerner Publishing Group in?
Lerner Publishing Group's product category is Children's Book Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAFAO, Children’s Subscription & Book Club Publishing, with a secondary code of MPAJABAA, K–12 Textbook Publishing (Core Curriculum). Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.