MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (Press Release) —It is with deep sadness that Lerner Publishing Group announces the death of Harry Lerner at the age of 93. Harry passed away peacefully on April 8, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Mr. Lerner leaves behind an enormous legacy in the children’s book publishing industry as the founder of one of the nation’s largest independent publishers. His taste, business sense, loyalty, and of course tenacity have touched the lives of young readers, authors, illustrators, family, and friends across the world.
Harry Lerner was born on March 5, 1932, in Minneapolis and spent his early years working in his father’s grocery store on Nicollet Island. It is notable that he spent his whole professional career located within one square mile of downtown Minneapolis. After publishing a travel guide for GI’s while serving in the US Army in Germany, Harry started what became Lerner Publishing Group in 1959.
Harry was a young entrepreneur at heart. While stationed in Germany as a young soldier, he started publishing a guidebook, distributed by Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military’s independent news source. The guidebook helped soldiers select cars and provided information on traveling in Europe. When he returned to civilian life, Harry finished college and began publishing a magazine, Sporting Goods Journal.
In 1959, Harry switched to publishing children’s books, launching with a series called Medical Books for Children aimed at helping children through their childhood illnesses. These books were produced with help from his brother, Aaron, and were written by his sister-in-law, Dr. Marguerite (Margie) Rush Lerner. Using her sons as characters, Margie explained such topics as chickenpox, mumps, and measles. She also featured a female doctor in the books, at a time when fewer than 6% of doctors were women. The illustrator for the books was George Overlie, who would go on to finish dozens of books for Lerner Publications. Thinking that the natural market for these first eight books were doctors’ offices and hospitals, Harry sent direct mail to these locations–and as an afterthought, to schools and libraries. The medical community did not respond, but schools and libraries did. A business was born!
Harry loved finding new artists and bringing their work to the world. He also discovered unique manuscripts from budding authors, and he had a great eye for art and design. Harry and his first wife, Sharon Lerner, founded Carolrhoda Books in 1969, the company’s first imprint, named after Carolrhoda Locketz. But Harry didn’t just focus on the editorial and artistic sides of publishing. He started Muscle Bound Bindery in 1967 and purchased Interface Graphics in 1994 to support a fully integrated and independent publishing operation. Until 2020, Lerner Publishing Group also ran its own warehousing and fulfilment services before outgrowing its space and partnering with Corporate Graphics to manage these operations.
Harry was always good at seeing opportunities and taking them. That instinct helped fuel Lerner Publishing Group’s continued success over the years. The company has received numerous accolades, including a Caldecott Honor, and multiple Coretta Scott King Book Awards, Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medals, and Jane Addams Children’s Book Awards—each recognizing excellence in children’s literature and impactful storytelling. In 2024 alone, Lerner titles 45 starred reviews, underscoring the consistent quality of its books.
The company publishes approximately 600 new books and series annually, catering to both the trade and school and library markets. Harry was also extremely proud of the company’s acquisitions, most recently including the young adult nonfiction publisher Zest Books in 2018; Gecko Press, an award-winning New Zealand–based publisher known for its distinct picture books and chapter books, in 2024; and Sundance Newbridge Publishing, a publisher of supplemental literacy solutions for grades PreK–8, which added more than 3,600 fiction and nonfiction titles to Lerner’s catalog.
Harry turned over the day-to-day reins to his oldest son Adam in 1998 and served as chairman of the board until his death. He still came into the office several days a week and remained engaged and interested in all aspects of the business and children’s publishing. The family business continues into a third generation, with Harry’s oldest grandsons, Ariel Lerner and Leo Lerner, currently working at Lerner Publishing Group, along with other grandchildren who have held internships and been involved with the company.
Harry and the Lerner family were instrumental in the development of the wonderful literary community in Minnesota through support of important organizations such as The Loft, Books for Africa, The Minnesota Library Association Foundation, the Minnesota Book Publishers Roundtable, the Minneapolis Public Library (now Hennepin County Library), Minneapolis Central Library, the Kerlan Collection, and the University of Minnesota where the Lerner Publishing Media Lab is named in Harry’s honor. Harry Lerner celebrated diversity in children’s book publishing not only by publishing diverse books, but by offering scholarships and donations to diverse creators through the Lerner Foundation.
Harry was preceded in death by his first wife, Sharon Lerner, and is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years and expert proofreader, Sandy; his children, Adam (Maryann) Lerner; Mia (Raul) Posada, an award-winning illustrator; Daniel (Sharon) Lerner; and Leah (Itay) Ophir; nine grandchildren; and extended family. Harry’s son, Adam Lerner, will remain Publisher and CEO of Lerner Publishing Group.
Harry’s support, drive, leadership, and dedication to children’s book publishing will continue to inspire us all. In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry’s honor may be made to Books for Africa or the American Library Association.
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Preceding provided by Lerner Publishing Group. San Diego Jewish World has reviewed with satisfaction numerous books of Kar-Ben Publishing, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group.