Lerner Publishing Group
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Books, Printing and Publishing |
Founded | 1959 |
Founder | Harry Lerner, CEO |
Headquarters | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Key people | Adam Lerner, President, Publisher |
Website | lernerbooks.com |
Lerner Publishing Group, based in Minneapolis since its founding in 1959, is one of the largest independently owned children's book publishers in the United States. With more than 3,500 titles in print, Lerner Publishing Group offers nonfiction and fiction books for grades K-12. The group is made up of eight imprints and the bindery Muscle Bound Bindery.
History
Lerner was founded in 1959 by Harry Lerner. The company started as a one-room office in the old Lumber Exchange Building in downtown Minneapolis. Lerner's sister asked him to publish her stories about childhood diseases, which became the Medical Books for Children series (1959). The company has expanded to encompass four offices: the main Lerner building, Lerner Distribution Center in Minneapolis, a New York office located in the Empire State Building, and a bindery. Lerner was the first publisher, in 1963, to print original art featuring multi-racial children, and has continued a tradition of innovation.
The Sharon Lerner Scholarship
A scholarship given to prospectives.
Imprints
Lerner Publications
Lerner Publications is intended for K-5 students, publishing 130 books annually in photo-driven series for schools and libraries.
Millbrook Press
Originally a Connecticut-based publisher, Lerner acquired Millbrook Press in 2004. Millbrook publishes under three sub-imprints: Millbrook, Copper Beech, and Twenty-First Century. Millbrook prints books for both the consumer and school markets.
Carolrhoda Books
Carolrhoda Books was begun in 1969, named after Carolrhoda Locketz, a close friend of Sharon Lerner who died after serving in the Peace Corps. Carolrhoda publishes about 20 titles annually: picture books, fiction, and single-title nonfiction for trade and library editions.
Graphic Universe
Graphic Universe was launched in 2006, and prints educational books done in graphic novel format. The imprint has two main series: Twisted Journies and Graphic Myths and Legends. The imprint is notable for using well-known artists from the comic book genre.
Twenty-First Century Books
Twenty-First Century Books was acquired along with Millbrook Press in 2004. This imprint focuses on books for grades 6+, usually photo-driven.
ediciones Lerner
ediciones Lerner prints Spanish-language translations of popular nonfiction titles for elementary school students.
LernerClassroom
LernerClassroom, launched in 2000, is specifically geared towards educational titles, including resources for teachers. Some titles are from the Group's list, and others are specially developed. The imprint works mostly with nonfiction, but some fiction.
Kar-Ben Publishing
Kar-Ben Publishing was acquired in 2001, for artwork- and photo-driven fiction and nonfiction titles geared for the children's Judaica market.