Revenues - Deferred Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2023	Nov. 30, 2022	Nov. 30, 2023	Nov. 30, 2022	May 31, 2023
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 234,500	$ 232,700	$ 234,500	$ 232,700	$ 169,100
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	48,400	49,500	80,700	80,300
Book fairs incentive credits
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	114,100	107,600	114,100	107,600	110,800
Magazines+ subscriptions
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	53,300	55,500	53,300	55,500	5,000
U.S. digital subscriptions
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	24,600	22,300	24,600	22,300	22,800
U.S. Education-related
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	10,600	13,400	10,600	13,400	9,800
Media-related
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	200	10,600	200	10,600	0
Stored value programs
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	24,100	13,800	24,100	13,800	12,400
Other
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 7,600	$ 9,500	$ 7,600	$ 9,500	$ 8,300