Remembering Harry Lerner, Founder of Lerner Publishing Group

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.  For more than six decades, Harry shaped the landscape of children’s publishing—and his impact can be felt in libraries, classrooms, and reading lives across the country.

Join us in honoring Harry’s passion for storytelling and education that has helped build a foundation that continues to empower readers, educators, and librarians alike.

A Publisher with a Purpose

Harry’s journey into publishing began while serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, where he produced a guidebook for soldiers, distributed by Stars and Stripes. After returning home and completing college, he shifted his focus to children’s publishing with a groundbreaking series called Medical Books for Children, created in collaboration with his brother Aaron and his sister-in-law, Dr. Marguerite Rush Lerner. These books demystified childhood illnesses through storytelling, featured a female doctor as a central character, and found an eager audience in schools and libraries—a happy accident that ultimately launched Lerner Publications.

From the start, Harry understood the power of books to educate, comfort, and inspire. He had an unmatched eye for discovering new talent, championing debut authors and illustrators, and building an integrated publishing company that handled every step from editorial to fulfillment.

A Legacy That Lives On in Classrooms and Libraries

Educators and librarians know the value of books that reflect and respect the diverse world of young readers. That was always Harry’s philosophy. He celebrated diversity not only through Lerner Publishing Group’s titles, but also by supporting creators from underrepresented backgrounds through scholarships and charitable giving via the Lerner Foundation.

Under his leadership, Lerner Publishing Group earned numerous accolades, including a Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Awards, Robert F. Sibert Medals, and Jane Addams Children’s Book Awards. The company continues to publish about 600 titles each year, with a strong focus on materials that support curriculum needs, build literacy, and spark curiosity.

In 2024 alone, Lerner titles earned 44 starred reviews—a testament to the editorial excellence Harry championed throughout his life.

A Life Rooted in Community

Though Harry’s influence reached readers around the world, he remained deeply rooted in Minneapolis, where he lived and worked within a one-mile radius of downtown for his entire professional career. He and his family supported many of Minnesota’s literary institutions, including the Kerlan Collection, the Minnesota Library Association Foundation, and the Lerner Publishing Media Lab at the University of Minnesota.

Harry was also a devoted family man. He passed the leadership of the company to his son Adam Lerner in 1998, and he remained engaged with the company as chairman of the board until his passing. Today, 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.

Honoring Harry’s Memory

Harry Lerner believed in the power of stories to shape lives. That belief will continue to guide us at Lerner Publishing Group—and it will live on in the classrooms and libraries where Lerner books are read, shared, and loved.

In lieu of flowers, the Lerner family encourages donations in Harry’s honor to Books for Africa or the American Library Association.

We are grateful for Harry’s leadership, generosity, and unwavering dedication to the world of children’s literature. His legacy will forever inspire us.