Educational Development
Annual Report 2023

Plain-text annual report

Net Revenues by Division PaperPie EDC Publishing Financial Information 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 Net revenues $87,829,000 $142,228,800 $204,635,100 $113,011,900 $118,811,300 Earnings (loss) before income taxes ($3,426,900) $11,235,900 $17,230,800 $7,751,900 $9,180,800 Net earnings (loss) ($2,504,900) $8,306,800 $12,624,000 $5,645,100 $6,678,400 Basic earnings (loss) per share Diluted earnings (loss) per share ($0.31) ($0.31) $1.03 $0.98 $1.51 $1.50 $0.68 $0.68 $0.82 $0.81 Total assets (cid:54)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:183)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92) (cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92) Return on assets $99,936,800 $109,933,700 $88,850,500 $64,702,800 $69,266,300 $45,231,800 $46,765,500 $40,259,800 $29,392,800 $25,930,500 (cid:11)5.5)% (2.5)% 17.8% 7.6% 31.4% 14.2% 19.2% 8.7% 25.8% 9.6% Common Stock (cid:54)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71) (cid:37)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71) Market price range: High Close Low Close (cid:48)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71) 2023 (cid:27)(cid:15)(cid:26)(cid:20)(cid:22)(cid:15)(cid:21)(cid:27)(cid:28) (cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:28) 2022 (cid:27)(cid:15)(cid:26)(cid:19)(cid:26)(cid:15)(cid:21)(cid:23)(cid:26) (cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:26) 2021 (cid:27)(cid:15)(cid:22)(cid:23)(cid:25)(cid:15)(cid:25)(cid:19)(cid:19) (cid:7)(cid:23)(cid:17)(cid:27)(cid:21) 2020 (cid:27)(cid:15)(cid:22)(cid:23)(cid:27)(cid:15)(cid:25)(cid:24)(cid:20) (cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:17)(cid:24)(cid:21) 2019 (cid:27)(cid:15)(cid:20)(cid:28)(cid:24)(cid:15)(cid:19)(cid:27)(cid:21) (cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:25) $8.40 $2.08 (cid:7)(cid:22)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:27) $19.12 $7.06 (cid:7)(cid:26)(cid:17)(cid:27)(cid:27) $19.17 $3.43 (cid:7)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:20) $9.15 $5.16 (cid:7)(cid:24)(cid:17)(cid:20)(cid:25) $13.45 $7.37 (cid:7)(cid:27)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:24) Letter From The President It is with mixed emotions that we present our Annual Report for the fiscal year 2023. While we are proud of the efforts made during this period and our ability to be adaptive, we also acknowledge the challenges we face as well as the results. This last year we saw record inflation negatively impact our primary customers, young families. The cost of groceries and gas skyrocketed, forcing families to make tough decisions on how to allocate their limited resources. We recognize that children's books are a discretionary purchase, and families prioritized their basic needs over purchasing our products. This was the primary driver behind our reduced revenues during the year. Despite these continuing challenges, we remain committed to our mission of promoting literacy and providing high-quality books and educational products to children. We understand the importance of reading and its impact on children's development, and we believe that every child deserves access to quality educational material like books and toys that inspire their imagination and ignite their passion for learning. In May last year, we executed a new distribution agreement with Usborne Publishing, replacing an outdated agreement dating back to 1988. Under the terms of the updated agreement, we rebranded our direct sales division, formerly Usborne Books & More (“UBAM”), and returned the distribution rights to distribute into the retail sales channel within the United States back to Usborne Publishing. Our sales and marketing team did an amazing job developing our new brand, and we were delighted to announce our new name, PaperPie, at the NASDAQ closing bell ceremony on December 28th, 2022. With a new name, logo, colors, tagline, and more, PaperPie embodies our commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging stories that are made to share. We are excited to continue providing our customers with the best educational materials possible through the efforts of our dedicated PaperPie Brand Partners (formerly called UBAM Consultants). We have already seen some positive results from this rebranding effort. We believe that these early successes bode well for the future of our Direct Sales Division, and we are excited to see where this new brand takes us. When I transitioned into the position of President and CEO, I communicated a vision to expand our product offerings to include educational toys and games. I am happy to say that this vision is becoming a reality. We acquired SmartLab Toys, a fantastic educational line of award-winning STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) based products in our fiscal third quarter. SmartLab Toys has historically created over 40 unique toys and games, and we are introducing many of those along with some brand-new items to our customers between January 2023 and the Summer of 2024. The initial introduction of the first 13 toys has already proven to be a valuable addition to our portfolio, and we are confident that the complete introduction of the product line and newly developed products will contribute to our continued growth and success. We are also very excited about new toy and game concepts that we are developing under the Kane Miller umbrella as well as new products from Learning Wrap-Ups. Another very important addition to EDC is the hiring of John Lietsch as our Chief Information Officer (CIO). We have known John for several years, and he has worked with us in a consulting role. John is a great fit for the Company, and he has already made key contributions not only to the IT department, but also to our executive leadership team. Despite the challenges we faced this year, we remain optimistic about the long-term future of our Company. Our commitment to delivering educational excellence remains unwavering, and we are confident that our strategic decisions will lead us to continued success in the years ahead. We recognize the importance of coming together as a community to support one another. We are committed to continuing our efforts to promote literacy and provide access to high-quality books as well as educational toys and games, especially for those who need them most. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to explore new worlds and expand their horizons through reading, and we will continue to work towards making that a reality for all children. We are confident in our ability to weather the ongoing economic challenges and emerge stronger on the other side. We have a talented team, award- winning, high-demand product lines, and a commitment to delivering value to our shareholders. At EDC, we take our responsibilities to our shareholders very seriously. We believe that transparency and communication are key to maintaining strong relationships with our investors. We thank you for your continued support and trust in our Company, and we look forward to sharing our progress with you in the coming year. Cordially yours, Cordially yours, Craig White Craig White d Chi f E id t P President and Chief Executive Officer ti Offi Meet the EDC Family of Brands Since 2004, SmartLab Toys has been a leading designer of educational toys for children ages six through fourteen. Our brain-building content inspires the imagination through exhilarating experiments and creative learning. At SmartLab Toys, we believe children learn best through hands-on exploration and discovery. We deliver those experiences by creating inventive toys packaged with engaging editorial content, interactive activities, and solid science. We know the best toys allow children to add their individual insights, problem-solving skills, divergent thinking, and perseverance to their play. That’s why our toys allow for open-ended experimentation and repeat play. From chemistry to electronics to human anatomy to architecture, our full range of STEAM toys offers playful learning experiences to delight and amaze any child. Each of our STEAM toys stands out in the industry by including a kid-friendly illustrated book or booklet that provides a wealth of information on the given topic. We’re committed to helping young minds experience wonder, test the unknown, and increase their understanding of the world through hands-on exploration and informative editorial content. At SmartLab Toys, we make science fun! Since 1984, Kane Miller Books has specialized in award-winning children's books from around the world. Our books bring the children of the world closer to each other, sharing stories and ideas, while exploring cultural differences and similarities. We respect our readers. We believe they deserve the best art, the best writing, the best science available. We believe they deserve to have their questions answered, their feelings validated, and their agency nurtured. We also respect the idea, or the concept, of childhood: that it is a time for absorbing and learning, for figuring out the world, and one’s place in it. We believe the imagination, humor, sense of adventure, and joyousness of childhood is valuable and worth protecting and enriching. We publish what’s important to children. That means what’s important to them inside and out, near and far, real and imagined. That means fiction and fantasy, imagination and creativity, science and tools for learning. We believe that books are a way to travel the world, and the best way to experiment - with ideas, with thoughts, with feelings, and with belonging (or not belonging). We believe in creating spaces and communities around books and literacy for children that are sustainable, healthy, necessary and meaningful. Since 1983, Learning Wrap-ups products have provided hands-on learning to assist with the mastery of critical math and reading skills. With their patented self- correcting features, our unique games make learning fun through the utilization of all learning senses, and by providing measurable progress. Learning Wrap-ups have become a staple for helping children learn basic math and other critical educational skills and can be found in schools all over the world. Especially popular with homeschooling families, our products can be used with any curriculum and allow students to learn individually with minimal supervision. News from Our Sales Divisions PaperPie (Direct Sales) Division (formerly Usborne Books & More) This year, we completed a major change in our direct sales division, rebranding from our previous name Usborne Books & More (“UBAM”), a name that has been in place since 2009, to PaperPie. Our rebrand decision was made in response to changes in our new distribution agreement with Usborne Publishing, which we executed in May of 2022. Our team, along with the support of many others, made significant investments in our rebranding process and were thrilled with the rebrand results and our new name PaperPie; along with new logo and tagline - "Stories Made to Share." We invested significant time and talent in the rebranding process, and we believe PaperPie will be the catalyst to a fantastic future and ensure the continued success of our company. Executing a rebrand has many consequences, not all of which are positive. We experienced a disruption in our sales in the fourth quarter as many of our brand partners spent time rebranding their individual businesses with PaperPie. With these efforts completed, we are confident that the rebrand will help us better serve our customers and position the division for future growth. Our commitment to delivering educational excellence one book at a time remains unchanged, and we believe that PaperPie will allow us to do so in new and exciting ways. We are proud to introduce you to our Brand Story Few things in life are more delightful than seeing a child’s zest for knowledge, potential, and creativity rise from the pages of a great book. With growing levels of competition for children’s attention, often from device-driven entertainment, it has never been more important to make (and make available) beautiful, stimulating products designed to lay the groundwork for emotional, intellectual, and imaginative development within the context of community. Heather Cobb C Chief Sales & Marketing Officer FY FY2023 Key Performance Indicators: • New Brand Partners: 16,500 -37% • Brand Partners with Leader level status at end of year: 2,365 • Active Brand Partners at end of year: 24,600 Percent of Revenues by Division: This is why we advocate for “literacy and learning as a lifestyle” – helping families connect, educate, discover, dream, and have fun – together. We love what we do and like who we are. We are more than a publisher or a bookseller. The truth is we’re a movement, a mission-driven, enthusiastic organization founded to expand literacy and deepen relationships through books, toys, and games. We believe stories shape our world. The next generation deserves the creation and curation of products that leave a lasting positive influence. We are also a neighborhood of passionate, book-loving StoryMakers sharing personal experiences with our exceptional, educational products from Usborne Books, Kane Miller, SmartLab Toys, and Learning Wrap-Ups through multiple online and in-person options. Additionally, we enable economic opportunities to StoryMakers in a supportive, highly collaborative environment where we strive to put more books into the hands of more children, while developing personally and professionally. We help our StoryMakers pursue all levels of possibility while prioritizing time with family. We believe income and home library growth can go hand in hand with a well-rounded, well-read life. At the core of everything we do, we help children and communities do greater and be greater. Kindness is the main ingredient behind our passionate commitment to delivering joy to our readers. We gather for good around literacy and learning. We create products and experiences that enrich, nourish, and feed the mind, heart, and imagination. We believe stories are made to share. We transform lives—one story, one book, one family, one child at a time. We are PaperPie. PaperPie: 85% Retail: 15% EDC Publishing (Retail) Division Our new distribution agreement with Usborne Publishing no longer includes the rights to distribute through our retail sales channel. We continued to fulfill orders for Usborne products during the fiscal year, but these rights have been reverted back to Usborne Publishing in fiscal 2024. With this change, our Retail Division has focused on replacing our past Usborne sales volumes with Kane Miller, Learning Wrap-Ups, and our recent acquisition, SmartLab Toys. The SmartLab Toys acquisition not only offers us an exciting product line of award-winning STEAM-related toys but also includes an existing customer base that expands our total retail footprint. The SmartLab Toys products have proven to be a natural fit for our Company, as they embody the same principles of quality and education that have defined us for many years. The response from our existing customers has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are confident that this new addition will continue to drive growth for our business. We remain committed to providing our loyal stores and retailers with the high-quality products they have come to expect from us. We also look forward to introducing our catalog of products to even more new customers in the coming year. (cid:39)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:183)(cid:46)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:72) Chief Financial Officer Operations Fiscal 2023 was another year of significant progress, particularly in terms of cost reduction. Our two-level pick module again proved to be a worthy asset, as we navigated our top-selling season without a second shift and without the full-time use of all five production lines. A welcome addition to the already efficient two-level pick system was an upgrade to Paperless pick tickets. Going paperless removes the need for collating thousands of pieces of paper from a printer, speeds up the order induction process, greatly reduces the cost of paper and printer parts, and prevents thousands of reams of paper from entering the waste stream. This improvement aligns with the Company’s goals of reducing our carbon footprint. The QR scan process improvement has increased productivity, reduced cost, and made a positive impact on the environment. As an additional cost reduction, during the fiscal fourth quarter we relocated our offsite third-party warehouse space to a more cost-effective alternative and moved our excess inventory quantities to this location to improve our efficiency. By utilizing this space for excess inventory only, we have reduced the number of trips required to retrieve stock for daily orders. Lastly, we are excited to report that we have begun utilizing UPS Mail Innovations Shipping service, a joint venture between United Parcel Service (UPS) and the United States Postal Service (USPS,) which specializes in the shipping of smaller, lightweight parcels. UPS Mail Innovations, like UPS Surepost, which we have used for years, combines the technology of UPS with the cost savings delivery of USPS. We expect to start seeing these reduced costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. As we continue to adapt and respond to changes in the economy, we remain committed to finding innovative ways to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and support our bottom line. Stock Prices & Dividends Paid Stock Prices & Dividends Paid Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Stock Prices Stock Prices Cash Dividend Paid Cash Dividend Paid 2023 2023 2022 2022 2021 2021 2020 2020 2019 2019 High High 8.40 $ 8.40 $ $ 19.12 $ 19.12 $ 19.17 $ 19.17 $ 9.15 9.15 $ $ 13.45 $ 13.45 Low Low 2.08 $ 2.08 $ 7.06 $ 7.06 $ 3.43 $ 3.43 $ 5.16 $ 5.16 $ 7.37 $ 7.37 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 0.10 0.10 0.40 0.40 0.27 0.27 0.20 0.20 0.15 0.15 IT In the past 7 months we have made significant progress in several areas starting with an analysis that resulted in the strategic alignment of the IT department to better meet the needs of the organization and the recognition that performance expectations exceeded IT’s capacity, given its resources. As such, a prioritized, short-term action plan was implemented to help optimize the value of EDC’s investment in IT over the next 12 months across its two primary IT support areas: (1) applications (2) operations. We continue to make enhancements and upgrades to our existing, customer facing applications to improve the customer experience. In January, we partnered with marketing to successfully rebrand ourselves as PaperPie. We also deployed a new resource library for our brand partners so that they could access all the materials they need to support their business development and selling efforts. Most importantly, the resource library is now part of the password protected, branded portal they use to manage their businesses making it easier to access and manage. We also worked closely with the executive team to prioritize our organizational projects and are currently focused on five critical initiatives for the remainder of the year. Those initiatives represent our commitment to make doing business with us easier for our Brand Partners and their customers and include the much anticipated upgrade to our ecommerce platform. We have addressed domestic talent shortages by strategically engaging both nearshore and offshore development partners providing cost effective elastic capacity. The improvements that we began last year to our IT operations will continue as we remain focused on security, performance, and investment optimization. The increased threat and sophistication of social engineering attacks target an organization’s weakest link in the defense of such attacks, its people. As such, we continue to invest in the ongoing training of our employees as well as improving our technical monitoring, identification, defense, and recovery processes and tools. We have consolidated applications where possible and have started to maximize the use of specific applications and tools, like Microsoft 365, resulting in productivity gains and cost savings. We have also begun to expand our technical support capabilities and will begin to entertain strategic partners as necessary, especially in cloud computing. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) (cid:1409)ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (cid:1407)TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023 OR For the transition period from to . Commission file number: 000-04957 EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 5402 South 122nd East Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Address of principal executive offices) 73-0750007 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 74146 (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (918) 622-4522 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Common Stock, $.20 par value (Title of class) EDUC (Trading symbol) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None NASDAQ (Name of each exchange on which registered) Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes (cid:1407) No (cid:1409) Yes (cid:1407) No (cid:1409) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes (cid:1409) No (cid:1407) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes (cid:1409) No (cid:1407) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer (cid:1407) Accelerated filer (cid:1407) Non-accelerated filer (cid:1409) Smaller reporting company (cid:1409) Emerging growth company (cid:1407) If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. (cid:1407) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). (cid:1409) (cid:1407) (cid:1407) Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes (cid:1407) No (cid:1409) The aggregate market value of the outstanding shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant at the price at which the common stock was last sold on August 31, 2022 on the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC was $19,881,000. As of May 2, 2023, 8,575,088 shares of common stock were outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the Proxy Statement for fiscal year 2023 relating to our Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 29, 2023 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report on Form 10-K. TABLE OF CONTENTS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS PART I Item 1. Business Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments Item 2. Item 3. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Properties Legal Proceedings [Reserved] PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Item 6. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Item 8. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Item 9B. Other Information Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Financial Statements and Supplementary Data PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Item 11. Executive Compensation Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services PART IV Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules Item 16. Form 10-K Summary 4 4 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 17 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 18 19 21 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS PART I CAUTIONARY REMARKS REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS The information discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “achievable,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “potential,” “should,” “could,” and similar terms and phrases. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurance that such expectations or assumptions will be achieved. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, ● our success in recruiting and retaining new brand partners (formerly consultants), ● our ability to locate and procure desired books, ● product and supplier concentrations, ● our relationship with our primary supplier and the related distribution requirements and contractual limitations, ● adverse publicity associated with our Company or the industry, ● our ability to ship timely, changes to our primary sales channels, including social media and party plan platforms, ● changing consumer preferences and demands, ● legal matters, ● reliance on information technology infrastructure, ● ● restrictions imposed by covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness, ● our ability to obtain adequate financing for working capital and capital expenditures, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory changes and other uncertainties, ● ● outstanding impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as ● those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, all of which are difficult to predict. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other than as required under the securities laws, we do not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in expectations or otherwise. As used in this Annual Report on Form 10- K, the terms “the Company,” “EDC,” “we,” “our” or “us” mean Educational Development Corporation, a Delaware corporation, unless the context indicates otherwise. Item 1. BUSINESS (a) General Description of Business We are the owner and exclusive publisher of Kane Miller children’s books; Learning Wrap-Ups, maker of educational manipulatives; and SmartLab Toys, maker of STEAM-based toys and games. We are also the exclusive United States Multi-Level Marketing (“MLM”) distributor of Usborne Publishing Limited (“Usborne”) children’s books. We are a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 23, 1965. Our fiscal year ends on February 28 (29). Our Company mission statement reflects “The future of our world depends on the education of our children. EDC delivers educational excellence one book at a time. We provide economic opportunity while fostering strong family values. We touch the lives of children for a lifetime.” 4 Table of Contents (b) Financial Information about Our Segments We sell children’s books, educational toys and games and other related products (collectively referred to as “products” or “books”) through two business segments, which we refer to as “divisions” or “sales channels”: ● Direct Sales Division (“PaperPie”) – This division sells our books and products through independent brand partners direct to the customer. Our Brand Partners sell our products in various ways, including hosting home parties, through social media collaboration platforms on the internet, hosting book fairs with school and public libraries and through other events. This division had approximately 24,600 active Brand Partners as of February 28, 2023. ● Publishing Division (“EDC Publishing” or “Publishing”) – This is our trade division which markets through commissioned trade representatives who call on retail book, toy and specialty stores along with other retail outlets. This division also has in- house representatives marketing by telephone and email to these customers and potential customers. This division markets to approximately 4,000 retail outlets. In addition to exhibiting at national trade and regional bookselling shows, our products are featured in agency showrooms in AmericasMart Atlanta, Dallas Market Center, and Minneapolis Mart. Under the contracted terms in our new distribution agreement, the Company no longer had the rights to distribute Usborne’s products to retail customers effective November 15, 2022, at which date Usborne planned to engage a different distributor to supply their products to retail accounts. The November 15, 2022 transition date, at Usborne’s request, was extended until their new supplier can start distribution during 2023. Percent of Net Revenues by Division FY 2023 FY 2022 85 % 15 % 100 % 91 % 9 % 100 % PaperPie Publishing Total net revenues (c) Narrative Description of Business Products EDC’s current catalog contains approximately 2,000 titles, with new additions added four times per year across all lines of our products. Additionally, throughout the year, a similar number of titles that do not have sufficient sales are identified as “out of print” and these titles are no longer re-printed or included in future catalogs. The Company sells through the remaining quantities of these out of print titles through their normal sales channels at normal pricing and has not historically participated in the publishing industry’s “remainder” market. Many of our products are interactive in nature, including our touchy-feely board books, activity books and flashcards, adventure and search books, art books, sticker books, foreign language books, learning manipulatives and toys. We also have a broad line of ‘internet-linked’ books which allow readers to expand their educational experience by referring them to relevant non- Company websites. Our books also include science and math titles, as well as chapter books and novels. Many of our Kane Miller books were originally published in other countries, in their native languages, and we translate them to common American English and have exclusive rights to publish the titles in the United States. Certain Kane Miller agreements include North American rights and these titles are also sold into Canada. Our SmartLab Toys and Learning Wrap-Ups imprints are owned product lines that are sold domestically and internationally, including the sale of foreign distribution rights to specific customers. Seasonality Sales for both divisions are greatest during the fall due to the holiday season. Competition While we have the exclusive rights to sell Kane Miller books, Learning Wrap-Ups, SmartLab Toys and are the exclusive United States Multi-Level Marketing (“MLM”) distributor of Usborne books, we face competition from other publishers selling on the internet and directly to our customer base. Our PaperPie division competes in recruiting and retaining brand partners, which continuously receive opportunities to work for other direct selling companies, as well as new non-traditional employment opportunities, especially in the gig marketplace that provide part-time supplemental income. We also compete with other publishers in the school and library book fair market, of which Scholastic Corporation is the largest. 5 Table of Contents Our Publishing division faces competition from U.S. and international publishing companies that sell online and through the same retail bookstores, toy stores, and gift and novelty stores that offer a variety of non-book products. Employees As of April 26, 2023, 138 full-time employees worked at our Tulsa, OK, San Diego, CA, Layton, UT and Seattle, WA facilities. Of these employees, approximately 56% work in our distribution warehouse in Tulsa, OK. Company Reports Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing electronically or otherwise furnishing it to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we make available, free of charge, on our website (www.edcpub.com) copies of our Annual Reports and Quarterly Reports. Our website also includes an internet link to the federal SEC website that contains additional public reports, including Current Reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished to the SEC and reports of holdings of our securities filed by our officers and directors under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. These reports will be provided electronically, free of charge, upon request. Employee Retention Credit In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which, among other things, included a provision related to the Employee Retention Credit. The Company applied the provisions of the CARES Act as applicable. In fiscal 2024, the Company applied for employee retention credits for Q1, Q2 and Q3 wages paid in calendar year 2021. In connection with the CARES Act, the Company adopted a policy to recognize the employee retention credit when realized under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 450-30, Gain Contingencies. Accordingly, the total requested credits of $3.6 million are not recorded in the Company’s financial statements until the credits are received, as the Company is not certain the credits will be issued. Item 1A. RISK FACTORS We are a smaller reporting company and are not required to provide this information. Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS None Item 2. PROPERTIES Our headquarters office and distribution warehouse are located on a 40-acre complex at 5402 South 122nd East Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma. We own the complex which includes multiple buildings that combine to approximately 400,000 square feet of office and warehouse space, of which 218,700 is utilized by us and 181,300 is occupied by a third-party tenant. Substantially all customer orders are fulfilled from our 170,000 square foot warehouse, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, using multiple flow-rack systems, referred to as “lines,” to expedite order completion, packaging, and shipment. We also own a facility located at 10302 East 55th Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma that contains approximately 105,000 square feet of usable space including 8,000 square feet of office and 97,000 square feet of warehouse space. We use approximately 84,000 square feet of warehouse space for overflow inventory. The remaining 21,000 square feet are leased to a third-party tenant with a multi-year lease agreement. In addition to these owned properties, we also lease additional warehouse space in Tulsa, Oklahoma as needed for overflow inventory, a small office in San Diego, California that is used by our Kane Miller employees, a warehouse and office space in Layton, Utah resulting from the acquisition of Learning Wrap-Ups, and office space located in Seattle, Washington resulting from the acquisition of SmartLab Toys. We believe that our operating facilities meet both present and future capacity needs. Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We are not a party to any material pending legal proceedings. Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES None 6 Table of Contents PART II Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES The common stock of EDC is traded on NASDAQ (symbol “EDUC”). The number of shareholders of record of EDC's common stock as of May 2, 2023, was 457. For information regarding our compensation plans see Note 11 of the notes to the financial statements and our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 29, 2023, as outlined in Part III, Item 12 in this Annual Report. Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Period December 1-31, 2022 January 1-31, 2023 February 1-28, 2023 Total Total # of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Total # of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan (1) Maximum # of Shares that may be Repurchased Under the Plan (1) - $ - - - $ - - - - - - - - 514,594 514,594 514,594 (1) On February 4, 2019, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan, replacing the former 2008 stock repurchase plan. The maximum number of shares which may be purchased under the new plan is 800,000. This plan has no expiration date. Item 6. [RESERVED] Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains a discussion of our business, including a general overview of our segments, our results of operations, our liquidity and capital resources, and our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. The forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside of our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Remarks Regarding Forward Looking Statements” in the front of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management Summary We are the owner and exclusive publisher of Kane Miller children’s books; Learning Wrap-Ups, maker of educational manipulatives; and SmartLab Toys, maker of STEAM-based toys and games. We are also the exclusive United States Multi-Level Marketing (“MLM”) distributor of Usborne Publishing Limited (“Usborne”) children’s books. Significant portions of our inventory purchases are concentrated with Usborne. Our distribution agreement with Usborne includes annual minimum purchase volumes along with specific payment terms, which, if not met or if payments are not received timely, may result in termination of the agreement. During fiscal 2023, the Company did not meet the minimum purchase volumes and certain payments were not received timely. No notification of termination has been received and Usborne continues to accept and fulfill purchase orders from the Company. Should termination of the agreement occur, the Company will be allowed, at a minimum, to sell through their remaining Usborne inventory over the twelve months following the termination date. We sell our products through two separate divisions, PaperPie and Publishing. These two divisions each have their own customer base. The PaperPie division markets our complete line of products through a network of independent brand partners using a combination of home shows, internet party events and book fairs. The Publishing division markets Kane Miller, Learning Wrap-Ups and SmartLab Toys on a wholesale basis to various retail accounts. All other supporting administrative activities are recognized as other expenses outside of our two divisions. Other expenses consist primarily of the compensation for our office, warehouse and sales support staff as well as the cost of operating and maintaining our corporate offices and distribution facility. 7 Table of Contents PaperPie Division Our PaperPie division uses a multi-level direct selling organizational structure to market our products using independent sales representatives (“Brand Partners”) located throughout the United States. The customer base of PaperPie consists of individual purchasers, as well as schools and public libraries. Revenues are primarily generated through book showings in individual homes, on social media collaboration platforms, through book fairs with school and public libraries and other in-person events. An important factor in the continued growth of the PaperPie division is the addition of new brand partners and the retention of existing Brand Partners. Current active Brand Partners (defined as those with sales during the past six months) are primarily responsible for recruiting new brand partners. PaperPie makes it easy to recruit by providing joining incentives to new brand partners including discounted products and cash bonus awards based on exceeding certain sales criteria. In addition, our PaperPie division provides our Brand Partners with an extensive operational handbook, valuable training, and an individual website they can customize and use to generate sales. The Company also provides a “back-office” operations platform that allows Brand Partners to track their individual and team business results. Brand Partners New Brand Partners Added During Fiscal Year Active Brand Partners at End of Fiscal Year FY 2023 FY 2022 16,500 24,600 26,100 36,100 Our PaperPie division’s multi-level marketing organizational structure presently has eight levels of sales representatives, collectively known as Brand Partners: ● Brand Partners ● Team Leaders ● Advanced Leaders ● Senior Leaders ● Executive Leaders ● Senior Executive Leaders ● Directors ● Senior Directors Upon signing up, sales representatives begin as “Brand Partners”. Brand Partners receive “weekly commissions” from each sale they make; the commission rate they receive on each sale is determined by the order type under which the sale is made. In addition, Brand Partners receive a monthly sales bonus once their total sales reach an established monthly goal and other awards (called “Level Perks”) for meeting other individual sales and recruiting goals for the month. Brand Partners who recruit a specified number of other Brand Partners into their downline become “Team Leaders”. These downline recruits are known as their "Central Group". Upon reaching this Team Leader level, Brand Partners become eligible to receive “monthly override payments” which are calculated on sales made by their Central Group and downlines up to two levels below. Team Leaders that recruit and promote other Team Leaders, and meet other established criteria, are eligible to become “Advanced Leaders”. Once Advanced Leaders promote a second level Brand Partner, add additional recruits and meet other established criteria, they become “Senior Leaders”, “Executive Leaders”, “Senior Executive Leaders”, “Directors” or “Senior Directors”. One-time cash bonus payments are made to Advance Leaders and higher at each promotion level. Executive Leaders and higher receive an additional monthly override payment based upon the sales of their executive group. Directors and higher receive an additional bonus payment if they promote a Team Leader from their Central Group. The maximum override payment a leader can receive is calculated on their Central Group and three levels below. During fiscal year 2023, internet sales continued to be the largest sales channel within our PaperPie division. The use of social media and party plan platforms, such as those available on Facebook, continue to be popular sales tools. These platforms allow Brand Partners to “present” and customers to “attend” online purchasing events from any geographical location. 8 Table of Contents Customers’ internet orders are primarily received via the Brand Partner’s customized website, which is hosted by the Company. Brand Partners contact hosts or hostesses (collectively “hostess”) who then provide a list of contacts to invite to an online party. During the online party, the Brand Partner answers attendees’ questions and provides product recommendations. These attendees then select desired products and place orders via the Brand Partner’s customized website. Internet orders are processed through a standard online “shopping cart checkout” and the Brand Partner receives sales credit and commission on the transaction. All internet orders are shipped directly to the end customer. The hostess earns discounted products based on the total sales from the attendees at the online party. Brand Partners use the list of contacts provided by the hostess as additional contacts for future hostess and recruiting opportunities. In-person parties also occur when Brand Partners contact hostesses to hold book shows in their homes. The Brand Partner assists the hostess in setting up the details for the show, makes a presentation at the show and takes orders for the products. The hostess earns discounted products based on the total sales at the party, including internet orders for those customers who can only attend via online access. These orders are typically shipped to the hostess who then distributes the products to the end customer. Customer specials are also available when customers, or their party, order above a specified amount. As with online parties, home shows often provide an excellent opportunity for recruiting new brand partners. PaperPie net revenues also includes sales to schools and libraries through PaperPie Learning, a separate program for Brand Partners which requires them to pass certain qualifications and complete training requirements. The PaperPie Learning program includes book fairs which are held with an organization as the sponsor. The Brand Partner provides promotional materials to introduce our products to parents, who then turn in their orders at a designated time. The book fair program generates discounted products for the sponsoring organization. PaperPie also generates revenues through various fundraiser programs directed toward schools and community organizations. Reach for the Stars is a pledge-based reading incentive program that provides cash and products to the sponsoring organization and products for the participating children. An additional fundraising program, Cards for a Cause, offers our Brand Partners the opportunity to help members of the community by sharing proceeds from the sale of specific items. Organizations sell variety boxes of greeting- type cards and donate a portion of the proceeds to help support their related causes. Publishing Division Our Publishing division operates in a market that is highly fragmented, with many types of retail companies engaged in selling children’s books and toys. The Publishing division’s customer base includes national book chains, regional and local bookstores, toy and gift stores, school supply stores and museums. To reach these markets, the Publishing division utilizes a combination of commissioned sales representatives and an in-house sales group located at our headquarters. The table below shows the percentage of net revenues from our Publishing division based on market type. Publishing Division Net Revenues by Market Type National chain bookstores All other Total net revenues FY 2023 FY 2022 2 % 98 % 100 % 2 % 98 % 100 % Publishing uses a variety of methods to attract potential new customers and maintain current customers. Our employees attend many of the national trade shows held by the book and toy selling industry each year, allowing us to contact potential buyers who may be unfamiliar with our products. Our marketing strategy targets toy and specialty stores, in addition to bookstores and museum gift shops, through print media advertising in trade publications. In some instances, our products are featured in promotions and catalogs by participation in co-ops with national chain retailers. Publishing’s sales representatives actively target the smaller independent book and gift store customers. This market has seen continued growth due to a resurgence in the opening of local bookstores, toy stores, and specialty stores across the U.S., coupled with the efforts of both our in-house and outside sales representatives to increase sales to local and independent businesses. The Company shifted its focus toward independent stores as national chain stores saw a change in buying programs and purchasing slowed with COVID-19. Our semi-annual, full-color, 128-page catalogs are mailed to approximately 4,000 customers and potential customers. See Publishing Operating Results for discussion of our updated distribution agreement with Usborne. 9 Table of Contents Result of Operations The following table shows our statements of operations data: Net revenues Cost of goods sold Gross margin Operating expenses Operating and selling Sales commissions General and administrative Total operating expenses Other (income) expense Interest expense Other income Earnings (loss) before income taxes Income taxes Net earnings (loss) Twelve Months Ended February 28, 2023 87,829,000 $ 31,759,200 56,069,800 2022 142,228,800 44,297,500 97,931,300 $ 15,780,600 25,676,100 17,195,100 58,651,800 23,010,400 44,377,500 20,302,200 87,690,100 2,172,300 (1,327,400 ) (3,426,900 ) 916,400 (1,911,100 ) 11,235,900 (922,000 ) (2,504,900 ) $ 2,929,100 8,306,800 $ See the detailed discussion of net revenues, gross margin and operating expenses by reportable segment below. Non-Segment Operating Results Total operating expenses not associated with a reporting segment were $14.9 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, compared to $17.8 million for the same period a year ago. Operating expenses decreased $2.9 million primarily as a result of a reduction in labor expenses of $2.5 million, with our warehouse payroll having the largest reduction, and a $0.9 million decrease in freight- handling costs, both associated with a decrease in gross sales, plus a $0.2 million decrease in warehouse rent for reduced inventory levels. These expense reductions were offset by a $0.3 million increase in depreciation expense primarily related to the addition of the new pick-pack-ship lines placed into service in fiscal year 2022, a $0.3 million increase in property taxes and insurance costs, and a $0.1 million increase in expenses related to the purchase of SmartLab Toys and the addition of the Seattle, WA office location. Interest expense increased $1.3 million, to $2.2 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, compared to $0.9 million reported for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022, due to increased borrowings with our lenders primarily associated with inventory and increases in floating interest rates. Other income decreased $0.6 million, to $1.3 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, compared to $1.9 million reported for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022, due to $0.3 million of recovered losses in fiscal 2022 associated with a shipping vessel incident in fiscal 2021 that did not repeat in the current fiscal year, $0.2 million of startup costs recognized from the acquisition of SmartLab Toys and $0.1 million in other various changes. Income taxes decreased $3.8 million, to a tax benefit of $0.9 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, from a tax expense of $2.9 million for the same period a year ago. This decrease was primarily related to a decrease in taxable income for the current fiscal year compared to the prior fiscal year. The effective tax rate increased by 0.8%, to 26.9% for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, as compared to 26.1% for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022, primarily due to sales mix fluctuations between states. Our tax rates are higher than the federal statutory rate of 21% due to the inclusion of state income and franchise taxes. 10 Table of Contents PaperPie Operating Results The following table summarizes the operating results of the PaperPie segment for the twelve months ended February 28: Gross sales Less discounts and allowances Transportation revenue Net revenues Cost of goods sold Gross margin Operating expenses Operating and selling Sales commissions General and administrative Total operating expenses Operating income $ Twelve Months Ended February 28, 2023 94,795,700 $ (27,271,100 ) 7,022,100 74,546,700 2022 159,303,800 (44,187,200 ) 13,861,900 128,978,500 24,639,000 49,907,700 37,150,600 91,827,900 12,501,100 25,095,100 3,140,900 40,737,100 18,800,300 43,801,300 4,788,800 67,390,400 $ 9,170,600 $ 24,437,500 Average number of active Brand Partners 28,000 44,900 PaperPie net revenues decreased $54.5 million, or 42.2%, to $74.5 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, when compared with net revenues of $129.0 million reported for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022. The average number of active Brand Partners in fiscal year 2023 was 28,000, a decrease of 16,900, or 37.6%, from 44,900 in fiscal year 2022. The Company reports the average number of active Brand Partners as a key indicator for this division. Our Brand Partner numbers have declined due to Brand Partners returning to full-time employment, as well as families experiencing children returning to the classroom, therefore requiring less learning from home materials than they had in the prior year. We also saw new Brand Partner recruiting negatively impacted by the recent change in our distribution agreement with Usborne Publishing Limited. The new agreement created a level of uncertainty with our Brand Partners until we were able to effectively communicate the continuation of our relationship within the Direct Sales division. Further, sales were impacted in our fiscal fourth quarter as we rebranded our direct sales division from Usborne Books & More (“UBAM”) to PaperPie. Our Brand Partners were challenged with updating their individual marketing materials, training videos and personal business websites to the new brand. The time spent updating these business items reduced our Brand Partners’ available time to generate sales, most clearly identified in the first two weeks of January 2023. In addition, sales during fiscal 2023 continued to be negatively impacted by economic factors that include recent record inflation, resulting in high fuel cost and food price increases that continue to impact the disposable income of our customers. We expect this impact on sales to continue as inflationary pressures persist. PaperPie gross margin decreased $41.9 million, or 45.6%, to $49.9 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, from $91.8 million reported for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues decreased 4.3% to 66.9% for fiscal year 2023 when compared to 71.2% for fiscal year 2022. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of net revenues is attributed to higher discounts being offered to induce sales and a change in the mix of order types received impacting margins by approximately $1.0 million, rising ocean freight costs on inbound inventory totaling approximately $1.2 million, which increased cost of goods sold, and reduced purchasing volume discounts/rebates totaling approximately $1.0 million. Total PaperPie operating expenses decreased $26.7 million, or 39.6%, to $40.7 million during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, when compared with $67.4 million reported for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022. Operating and selling expenses decreased $6.3 million, to $12.5 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, from $18.8 million reported in the same period a year ago. These decreases were due to a $7.5 million decrease in shipping costs associated with the decrease in volume of orders shipped from lower sales, offset by a $1.2 million increase in accruals for Brand Partner incentive trip expenses and convention expenses. Sales commissions decreased $18.7 million, to $25.1 million during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, when compared to $43.8 million reported in the same period a year ago primarily due to the decrease in net revenues. General and administrative expenses decreased $1.7 million, to $3.1 million during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, when compared with $4.8 million reported for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022. This decrease was due to $1.0 million of decreased credit card transaction fees associated with decreased sales volumes, a $0.4 million decrease in promotions and marketing expenses associated with decreased Brand Partner counts, and a $0.3 million decrease in payroll and various other expenses. 11 Table of Contents Operating income of our PaperPie division decreased $15.2 million, or 62.3%, to $9.2 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, as compared to $24.4 million reported for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022. Operating income for the PaperPie division as a percentage of net revenues for the year ended February 28, 2023, was 12.3%, compared to 18.9% for the year ended February 28, 2022, a change of 6.6%. Operating income as a percentage of net revenues changed from the prior year primarily due to the decrease in net revenues caused by higher discounts and lower transportation revenue, the increase in cost of goods sold resulting from higher inbound freight costs along with fewer rebates and discounts associated with purchase volumes and the increase in accrued expenses for the Company’s Brand Partners related to the annual incentive trip and convention. Publishing Operating Results The following table summarizes the operating results of the Publishing segment for the twelve months ended February 28: Gross sales Less discounts and allowances Transportation revenue Net revenues Cost of goods sold Gross margin Total operating expenses Operating income $ Twelve Months Ended February 28, 2023 27,896,200 $ (14,624,400 ) 10,500 13,282,300 2022 28,163,000 (14,922,100 ) 9,400 13,250,300 7,120,200 6,162,100 7,146,900 6,103,400 2,975,300 2,463,600 $ 3,186,800 $ 3,639,800 Our Publishing division’s net revenues remained consistent at $13.3 million for fiscal years ended February 28, 2023 and 2022. During fiscal 2023, we entered into a new distribution agreement with Usborne. Under the contracted terms in our new distribution agreement, the Company no longer had the rights to distribute Usborne’s products to retail customers after November 15, 2022, at which time Usborne was planning to use a different distributor to supply retail accounts with their products. The November 15, 2022 transition date, at Usborne’s request, was extended until their new supplier can start distribution in 2023. Usborne’s products sold within the Publishing division accounted for 83.1%, or $23.2 million, of gross sales during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023. Gross margin remained consistent, increasing $0.1 million, to $6.2 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, from $6.1 million reported for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues increased 0.3%, to 46.4% for fiscal year 2023, compared to 46.1% reported the same period a year ago due to a change in customer mix. Customers receive varying discounts due to higher sales volumes and contract terms. Operating expenses increased $0.5 million, to $3.0 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, from $2.5 million reported for fiscal year ended February 28, 2022. The increase in operating expenses resulted from the full year inclusion of Learning Wrap-Ups office staff and related expenses in fiscal year 2023. Learning Wrap-Ups was acquired in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022. Operating income for the segment decreased $0.4 million, or 11.1%, to $3.2 million for fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, from $3.6 million reported during the same period last year. The decrease in operating income resulted primarily from the increase in operating expenses attributable to a full year impact of Learning Wrap-Ups office staff and related expenses. Liquidity and Capital Resources EDC has a history of profitability and positive cash flow. We typically fund our operations from the cash we generate. During periods of loss, like fiscal year 2023, EDC will reduce purchases and sell through inventory to generate cash flows. The Company expects to reduce current excess inventory levels and use the cash proceeds to pay down the line of credit and portions of the term debt. Available cash has historically been used to pay down outstanding bank loan balances, for capital expenditures, to pay dividends and to acquire treasury stock. We utilize a bank credit facility and other term loan borrowings to meet our short-term cash needs, as well as fund capital expenditures, when necessary. As of the end of fiscal year 2023, our revolving bank credit facility loan balance was $10.6 million with $4.4 million in available capacity. 12 Table of Contents During fiscal year 2023, we experienced positive cash flows from operations of $58,500. These cash flows resulted from: ● net loss of $2,504,900 Adjusted for: ● depreciation and amortization expense of $2,478,700 ● share-based compensation expense, net of $907,800 ● provision for inventory allowance of $715,900 Offset by: ● deferred income taxes of $678,100 Positively impacted by: ● decrease in inventories, net of $9,086,900 ● decrease in accounts receivable of $732,100 Negatively impacted by: ● decrease in accounts payable of $8,547,900 ● decrease in accrued salaries, commissions, and other liabilities of $1,578,000 ● decrease in income taxes payable of $241,900 ● increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $233,200 ● decrease in deferred revenues of $78,900 Cash used in investing activities was $1,755,800 for capital expenditures, consisting of $852,500 of software upgrades to our proprietary systems that our Brand Partners use to monitor their business and place customer orders, $766,400 associated with the purchase of SmartLab Toys, $132,000 of other assets associated with the Company’s rebrand of the PaperPie sales division and $4,900 of other various changes. Cash provided by financing activities was $2,025,200, which was comprised of net proceeds from term debt of $36,000,000 and cash received in treasury stock transactions of $63,400, offset by payments on term debt of $25,900,100, net payments on the line of credit of $7,089,000, payments of $870,700 for dividends declared in fiscal 2022 and paid in fiscal 2023 and payments of debt issuance costs of $178,400. We continue to expect the cash generated from our operations, specifically from the reduction of excess inventory, and cash available through our line of credit with our Lender will provide us the liquidity we need to support ongoing operations. Cash generated from operations will be used to purchase inventory in order to expand our product offerings and to pay down existing debt. On August 9, 2022, the Company repaid in full all outstanding indebtedness and terminated all commitments and obligations under its Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated February 15, 2021 (as amended), between the Company and MidFirst Bank. The Company’s payment to MidFirst Bank, including interest, was approximately $45.0 million, which satisfied all the Company’s debt obligations with MidFirst Bank. The Company did not incur any early termination penalties as a result of the repayment of indebtedness or termination of the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, which provided Term Loan #1, Advancing Term Loan #1, Advancing Term Loan #2 and the Revolving Loan. On August 9, 2022, the Company executed a new Credit Agreement (“Loan Agreement”) with BOKF, NA (“Bank of Oklahoma” or the “Lender”). The Loan Agreement established a fixed rate term loan in the principal amount of $15,000,000 (the “Fixed Rate Term Loan”), a floating rate term loan in the principal amount of $21,000,000 (the “Floating Rate Term Loan”; together with the Fixed Rate Term Loan, collectively, the “Term Loans”), and a revolving promissory note in the principal amount up to $15,000,000 (the “Revolving Loan”). 13 Table of Contents Features of the Loan Agreement include: (i) Term Loans on 20-year amortization with 5-year maturity date of August 9, 2027 (ii) Revolving Loan maturity date of August 9, 2023 (iii) Fixed Rate Term Loan bears interest at a fixed rate per annum equal to 4.26% (iv) Floating Rate Term Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR Rate + 1.75% (effective rate was 6.28% at February 28, 2023) (v) Revolving Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR Rate + 2.50% (effective rate was 7.03% at February 28, 2023) (vi) Revolving Loan allows for Letters of Credit up to $7,500,000 upon bank approval (none were outstanding at February 28, 2023) The Loan Agreement also contains provisions that require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge ratio and limit any additional debt with other lenders. The Company was in violation of the minimum fixed charge ratio covenant as of February 28, 2023, for which the Company obtained a written waiver of compliance from the Lender. Available credit under the current $15,000,000 revolving line of credit with the Lender was $4,365,500 at February 28, 2023. On December 22, 2022, the Company executed the First Amendment to our Credit Agreement with the Lender. This amendment clarified the definition of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to exclude dividends paid prior to November 30, 2022, and placed restrictions on acquisitions and cash dividends. On May 10, 2023, the Company executed the Second Amendment to our Credit Agreement with the Lender. This amendment waived the fixed charge ratio default which occurred on February 28, 2023. The Second Amendment also added a cumulative maximum level of fiscal year to date inventory purchases through the expiration of the Revolving Loan Agreement, increased the borrowing rate on the Company’s Revolving Loan to Term SOFR Rate + 3.5%, reduced the revolving commitment from $15,000,000 to $14,000,000, effective May 10, 2023, and further reduced the revolving commitment to $13,500,000, effective July 15, 2023, among lesser items. The Company does not expect to meet the fixed charge ratio, outlined in the Credit Agreement, during fiscal year 2024. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, not meeting this ratio could represent an Event of Default. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, should an Event of Default occur, the Lender will have the right to accelerate the maturities of the Fixed Rate Term Loan and Floating Rate Term Loan. As an Event of Default is expected, and no waiver of the Event of Default is guaranteed to be received by the Lender, the long-term portions of the Fixed Rate Term Loan and Float Rate Term Loan have been reclassified as current liabilities. The following table reflects aggregate current maturities of term debt, excluding the Revolving Loan, during the next fiscal year as follows: Year ending February 29, 2024 Total $ 35,100,000 $ 35,100,000 In April 2008, our Board of Directors amended our 1998 stock repurchase plan, establishing that we may purchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of Company common stock as market conditions warrant. In February 2019, our Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan to replace the amended 2008 plan. Under the new 2019 plan, the Company is authorized to purchase up to 800,000 shares of Company common stock, which represented approximately 9% of the outstanding shares as of February 28, 2023, of which 514,594 remains available to purchase as of February 28, 2023. Management has no plans to repurchase any outstanding shares until the Company returns to profitability. Risks and Uncertainties In accordance with ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), the Company has evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued. 14 Table of Contents As an Event of Default is expected associated with the Loan Agreement, and there is no guaranty that the Event of Default will be waived by BOKF, NA, there is sufficient uncertainty that, should the bank choose to accelerate the maturities of the Fixed Rate Term Loan and Floating Rate Term Loan, the Company could continue as a going concern. Management has plans to enter into a new financing agreement by August 9, 2023, with BOKF, NA or another lender, that will allow it to operate without default and reclassify the non- current portions of the Fixed Rate Term Loan and Floating Rate Term Loan as long-term liabilities. Contractual Obligations We are a smaller reporting company and are not required to provide this information. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements As of February 28, 2023, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. Seasonality The Company experiences increased sales in the Fall season. Historically, we have experienced an increase in inventory during the Summer in anticipation for the Fall increase in sales. In addition, new titles are typically released twice a year, in the Spring and Fall, which increases our inventory in the months preceding these scheduled releases. We do not expect inventory to increase in fiscal year 2024 as we continue to sell down excess inventory. Critical Accounting Policies Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to our valuation of inventory, allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable, allowance for sales returns, long-lived assets and deferred income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may materially differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Historically, however, actual results have not differed materially from those determined using required estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes accompanying the financial statements included elsewhere in this report. However, we consider the following accounting policies to be more significantly dependent on the use of estimates and assumptions. Share-Based Compensation We account for share-based compensation whereby share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted stock, are measured at estimated fair value at the date of grant. For awards subject to service conditions, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Awards subject to performance conditions are attributed separately for each vesting tranche of the award and are recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for each tranche. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. Any cash dividends declared after the restricted stock award is issued, but before the vesting period is completed, will be reinvested in Company shares at the opening trading price on the dividend payment date. Shares purchased with cash dividends will also retain the same restrictions until the completion of the original vesting period associated with the awarded shares. The restricted share awards under the 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2019 LTI Plan”) and 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2022 LTI Plan”) contain both service and performance conditions. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense only for the portion of the restricted share awards that are considered probable of vesting. Shares are considered granted, and the service inception date begins, when a mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions between the Company and the employees has been established. The fair value of these awards is determined based on the closing price of the shares on the grant date. The probability of restricted share awards granted with future performance conditions is evaluated at each reporting period and compensation expense is adjusted based on the probability assessment. During fiscal years 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $0.9 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of compensation expense associated with the shares granted. 15 Table of Contents Revenue Recognition Sales associated with product orders are recognized and recorded when products are shipped. Products are shipped FOB- Shipping Point. PaperPie’s sales are generally paid at the time the product is ordered. Sales which have been paid for but not shipped are classified as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. Sales associated with consignment inventory are recognized when reported and payment associated with the sale has been remitted. Transportation revenue represents the amount billed to the customer for shipping the product and is recorded when the product is shipped. Estimated allowances for sales returns are recorded as sales are recognized. Management uses a moving average calculation to estimate the allowance for sales returns. We are not responsible for a product damaged in transit. Damaged returns are primarily received from the retail customers of our Publishing division. This damage occurs in the stores, not in shipping to the stores, and we typically do not offer credit for damaged returns. It is industry practice to accept non-damaged returns from retail customers. Management has estimated and included a reserve for sales returns of $0.2 million for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We maintain an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments and a reserve for vendor share markdowns, when applicable (collectively “allowance for doubtful accounts”). An estimate of uncollectible amounts is made by management based upon historical bad debts, current customer receivable balances, age of customer receivable balances, customers’ financial conditions and current economic trends. Management has estimated and included an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Inventory Our inventory contains approximately 2,000 titles, each with different rates of sale depending upon the nature and popularity of the title. Almost all of our product line is saleable as the products are not topical in nature and remain current in content today as well as in the future. Most of our products are printed in China, Europe, Singapore, India, Malaysia and Dubai typically resulting in a four to eight-month lead-time to have a title printed and delivered to us. Certain inventory is maintained in a noncurrent classification. Management continually estimates and calculates the amount of noncurrent inventory. Noncurrent inventory arises due to occasional purchases of titles in quantities in excess of what will be sold within the normal operating cycle, due to the minimum order requirements of our suppliers. Noncurrent inventory is estimated by management using an anticipated turnover ratio by title, based primarily on historical trends. Inventory in excess of 2½ years of anticipated sales is classified as noncurrent inventory. These inventory quantities have additional exposure for storage damages and related issues, and therefore have higher obsolescence reserves. Noncurrent inventory balances prior to valuation allowances were $5.1 million and $2.4 million at February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Noncurrent inventory valuation allowances were $0.4 million at February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022. Brand Partners that meet certain eligibility requirements may request and receive inventory on consignment. We believe allowing our Brand Partners to have consignment inventory greatly increases their ability to be successful in making effective presentations at home shows, book fairs and other events; in summary, having consignment inventory leads to additional sales opportunities. Approximately 8.5% of our active Brand Partners have maintained consignment inventory at the end of fiscal year 2023. Consignment inventory is stated at cost, less an estimated reserve for consignment inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned to the Company. The total cost of inventory on consignment with Brand Partners was $1.5 million and $1.4 million at February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Inventories are presented net of a valuation allowance, which includes reserves for inventory obsolescence and reserves for consigned inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned to the Company. Management estimates the inventory obsolescence allowance for both current and noncurrent inventory, which is based on management’s identification of slow-moving inventory. Management has estimated a valuation allowance for both current and noncurrent inventory, including the reserve for consigned inventory, of $0.9 million at February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022. New Accounting Pronouncements See the New Accounting Pronouncements section of Note 1 to our financial statements, included in Part IV, Item 15 of this report, for further details of recent accounting pronouncements. 16 Table of Contents Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK We are a smaller reporting company and are not required to provide this information. Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The information required by Item 8 begins at page 25. Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures An evaluation was performed of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) Rule 13a-15(a) as of February 28, 2023. This evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer). Based on that evaluation, these officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to them, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported in accordance with the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report on Form 10-K, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13(a) through 15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework set forth in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Based on our evaluation under the 2013 COSO Framework and applicable SEC rules, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of February 28, 2023. This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management's report in this annual report. Item 9B. OTHER INFORMATION None Item 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS None 17 Table of Contents Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (a) Identification of Directors PART III The information required by this Item 10 is furnished by incorporation by reference to the information under the caption "Election of Directors" in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 29, 2023. (b) Identification of Executive Officers The information required by this Item 10 is furnished by incorporation by reference to the information under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 29, 2023. (c) Compliance with Section 16 (a) of the Exchange Act The information required by this Item 10 is furnished by incorporation by reference to the information under the caption "Section 16 (a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 29, 2023. Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information required by this Item 11 is furnished by incorporation by reference to the information under the caption "Executive Compensation" in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 29, 2023. Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The information required by this Item 12 is furnished by incorporation by reference to the information under the captions "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and "Compensation Plans" in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 29, 2023. Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE None Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES The information required by this Item 14 is furnished by incorporation by reference to the information under the caption "Independent Registered Public Accountants" in our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 29, 2023. 18 Table of Contents PART IV Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES (a) The following documents are filed as part of this report: 1. Financial Statements Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 483) Balance Sheets as of February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022 Statements of Operations for the Years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022 Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022 Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022 Notes to Financial Statements Page 23 25 26 27 28 29-41 Schedules have been omitted as such information is either not required or is included in the financial statements. 2. Exhibits *3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated April 26, 1968, and Certificate of Amendment thereto dated June 21, 1968 are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to Registration Statement on Form 10-K (File No. 0-04957). *3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated August 27, 1977 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 20.1 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended February 28, 1981 (File No. 0-04957). *3.3 By-Laws, as amended, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 20.2. to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended February 28, 1981 (File No. 0-04957). *3.4 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated November 17, 1986 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended February 28, 1987 (File No. 0-04957). 3.5 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated March 22, 1996 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Form 10-K for fiscal year ended February 28, 1997 (File No. 0-04957). 3.6 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated July 15, 2002 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Form 10-K dated February 28, 2003 (File No. 0-04957). 3.7 Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated August 15, 2018 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K dated August 21, 2018 (File No. 0-04957). *4.1 Specimens of Common Stock Certificates are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to Registration Statement on Form 10-K (File No. 0-04957) filed June 29, 1970. *10.1 Usborne Agreement-Contractual agreement by and between the Company and Usborne Publishing Limited dated November 25, 1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Form 10-K dated February 28, 1989 (File No. 0-04957). *10.2 Party Plan-Contractual agreement by and between the Company and Usborne Publishing Limited dated March 14, 1989 is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Form 10-K dated February 28, 1989 (File No. 0-04957). 19 Table of Contents *10.3 Amendment dated January 1, 1992 to Usborne Agreement - Contractual agreement by and between the Company and Usborne Publishing Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Form 10-K dated February 29, 1992 (File No. 0-04957). 10.4 Educational Development Corporation 2002 Incentive Stock Option Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A to definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A dated May 23, 2002 (File No. 0-04957). 10.5 Amendment dated November 12, 2002 to Usborne Agreement – Contractual agreement by and between us and Usborne Publishing Limited is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Form 10-K dated February 28, 2003 (File No. 0-04957). 10.6 Employment Agreement between Randall W. White and the Company dated February 28, 2004 incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Form 10-K dated February 28, 2005 (File No. 0-04957). 10.7 Purchase and Sale Agreement dated December 1, 2015 by and between the Company and Hilti, Inc., Tulsa, OK incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Form 10-K dated February 28, 2019 (File No. 0-04957). 10.8 Lease Agreement dated December 1, 2015 by and between the Company and Hilti, Inc., Tulsa, OK incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Form 10-K dated February 28, 2019 (File No. 0-04957). 10.9 Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated February 15, 2021 by and between the Company and MidFirst Bank, Tulsa, OK is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to form 10-K dated February 28, 2021 (File No. 0-04957) 10.10 First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated April 1, 2021 by and between the Company and MidFirst Bank, Tulsa, OK is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Form 10-K dated February 28, 2021 (File No. 0-04957). 10.11 Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated July 16, 2021 by and between the Company and MidFirst Bank, Tulsa, OK is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2021 (File No. 0-04957). 10.12 Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated August 31, 2021 by and between the Company and MidFirst Bank, Tulsa, OK is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2021 (File No. 0-04957). 10.13 Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated November 19, 2021 by and between the Company and MidFirst Bank, Tulsa, OK is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to Form 8-K dated November 24, 2021 (File No. 0-04957). 10.14 Fifth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated April 11, 2022 by and between the Company and MidFirst Bank, Tulsa, OK is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to form 10-K dated February 28, 2022 (File No. 0-04957). 10.15 Usborne Distribution Agreement dated May 16, 2022 by and between the Company and Usborne Publishing Limited, London, England is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to form 10-Q dated May 31, 2022 (File No. 0- 04957). 10.16 Credit Agreement dated August 9, 2022 by and between the Company and BOKF, NA, Tulsa, OK is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to form 8-K dated August 11, 2022 (File No. 0-04957). 10.17 First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated December 22, 2022 by and between the Company and BOKF, NA, Tulsa, OK. Is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-Q dated November 30, 2022 (File No. 0- 04957). **10.18 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated May 10, 2023 by and between the Company and BOKF, NA, Tulsa, OK. 20 Table of Contents **23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. **31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of Educational Development Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of Educational Development Corporation pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **32.1 Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document 101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase 101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) *Paper Filed **Filed Herewith Item 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY Not applicable 21 Table of Contents SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Date: May 17, 2023 Date: May 17, 2023 EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION By /s/ Craig M. White Craig M. White President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) By /s/ Dan E. O’Keefe Dan E. O’Keefe Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated. Date: May 17, 2023 /s/ Craig M. White Craig M. White, Director President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) May 17, 2023 May 17, 2023 May 17, 2023 May 17, 2023 May 17, 2023 May 17, 2023 /s/ Randall W. White Randall W. White, Director Chairman of the Board /s/ John A. Clerico John A. Clerico, Director /s/ Dr. Kara Gae Neal Dr. Kara Gae Neal, Director /s/ Joshua J. Peters Joshua J. Peters, Director /s/ Bradley V. Stoots Bradley V. Stoots, Director /s/ Dan E. O’Keefe Dan E. O’Keefe Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 22 Table of Contents REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Educational Development Corporation Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Educational Development Corporation (the Company) as of February 28, 2023 and 2022, the related statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements (collectively, the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of February 28, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the auditing standards of the PCAOB and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matter The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. Liquidity and Management's Plans While the Company received a waiver for the fixed charge ratio default that occurred on February 28, 2023, the borrowing and purchasing capacity was restricted and management's forecast indicated that the Company will not be in compliance in future periods as described in Note 9. These conditions, among others in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt over the Company's ability to meet its obligations over the next twelve months. Management has evaluated these conditions and concluded that its plans have alleviated the substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue for at least the next twelve months. To assess their ability to meet obligations as they come due and assess future compliance with debt covenants for at least twelve months from the issuance date of the financial statements, the Company has forecasted future financial results which requires significant judgment and estimation. Additionally, there is significant judgment and increased level of audit effort involved in determining that it is probable that management's plans will be effectively implemented and alleviate substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue beyond the next twelve months. 23 Table of Contents Our audit procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included, among others: ● Reading and evaluating management's plans for dealing with the adverse effects of the conditions and events. ● Obtaining the Company's amended debt agreement and assessing whether the terms were appropriately considered on the Company's debt covenant compliance. ● Evaluating the reasonableness of management's significant assumptions and judgments used in the preparation of the forecast. ● Comparing the forecast to budgets provided to the board of directors, to historical results, to recent trends used in other audit areas and to subsequent actual results. ● Evaluating the adequacy of the disclosure included in the notes to the financial statements. /s/ HOGANTAYLOR LLP We have served as the Company's auditor since 2005. Tulsa, Oklahoma May 17, 2023 24 Table of Contents EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BALANCE SHEETS AS OF FEBRUARY 28, ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $211,700 (2023) and $336,700 (2022) Inventories - net Prepaid expenses and other assets Total current assets INVENTORIES - net PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - net DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSET OTHER ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable Line of credit Deferred revenues Current maturities of long-term debt Accrued salaries and commissions Dividends payable Income taxes payable Other current liabilities Total current liabilities LONG-TERM DEBT - net OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Total liabilities COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES – See Note 10 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Common stock, $0.20 par value; Authorized 16,000,000 shares; Issued 12,702,080 shares; Outstanding 8,713,289 (2023) and 8,707,247 (2022) shares Capital in excess of par value Retained earnings Less treasury stock, at cost Total shareholders' equity TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ See notes to financial statements. 25 2023 2022 $ 689,100 $ 361,200 $ $ 2,906,700 59,086,500 869,300 63,551,600 3,638,800 71,553,600 960,500 76,514,100 4,719,600 29,656,400 796,800 1,212,400 99,936,800 $ 2,055,300 30,484,000 118,700 761,600 109,933,700 3,863,900 $ 10,634,500 602,700 34,894,900 828,200 - - 3,294,000 54,118,200 12,411,800 17,723,500 681,600 2,542,200 1,890,200 870,700 241,900 3,897,900 40,259,800 - 586,800 54,705,000 22,409,500 498,900 63,168,200 2,540,400 13,193,400 42,020,200 57,754,000 (12,522,200 ) 45,231,800 99,936,800 $ 2,540,400 12,246,600 44,525,100 59,312,100 (12,546,600 ) 46,765,500 109,933,700 Table of Contents EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, GROSS SALES Less discounts and allowances Transportation revenue NET REVENUES COST OF GOODS SOLD Gross margin OPERATING EXPENSES: Operating and selling Sales commissions General and administrative Total operating expenses INTEREST EXPENSE OTHER INCOME EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) NET EARNINGS (LOSS) BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE: Basic Diluted WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON AND EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING: Basic Diluted Dividends per share See notes to financial statements. 26 $ 2023 122,691,900 $ (41,895,500 ) 7,032,600 87,829,000 31,759,200 56,069,800 2022 187,466,800 (59,109,300 ) 13,871,300 142,228,800 44,297,500 97,931,300 15,780,600 25,676,100 17,195,100 58,651,800 23,010,400 44,377,500 20,302,200 87,690,100 2,172,300 (1,327,400 ) 916,400 (1,911,100 ) (3,426,900 ) 11,235,900 (922,000 ) (2,504,900 ) $ 2,929,100 8,306,800 (0.31 ) $ (0.31 ) $ 1.03 0.98 8,157,704 8,157,704 - $ 8,039,843 8,452,340 0.40 $ $ $ $ Table of Contents EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AS OF FEBRUARY 28, Common Stock (par value $0.20 per share) Treasury Stock Number of Shares Issued Retained Earnings 12,410,080 $ 2,482,000 $ 10,863,900 $ 39,683,000 4,063,480 $ (12,769,100 ) $ 40,259,800 617,100 Shareholders' Equity Amount Amount 198,900 418,200 (63,647 ) - - - Number of Shares Capital in Excess of Par Value (82,000 ) 292,000 - - - 58,400 - - 1,046,500 - - (3,464,700 ) 1,046,500 8,306,800 12,702,080 $ 2,540,400 $ 12,246,600 $ 44,525,100 3,994,833 $ (12,546,600 ) $ 46,765,500 63,400 - - - (3,464,700 ) - - 8,306,800 23,600 - - - (5,000 ) - - - (7,771 ) 29,729 24,400 - 39,000 - - - - - - - - 907,800 (2,504,900 ) 12,702,080 $ 2,540,400 $ 13,193,400 $ 42,020,200 3,988,791 $ (12,522,200 ) $ 45,231,800 - - - (2,504,900 ) (28,000 ) - - - 907,800 - - - - - - - - - BALANCE - February 28, 2021 Sales of treasury stock Issuance of restricted share awards for vesting Dividends declared ($0.40/share) Share-based compensation expense - net Net earnings BALANCE - February 28, 2022 Sales of treasury stock Forfeiture of restricted shares Issuance of restricted share awards for vesting Share-based compensation expense - net Net loss BALANCE – February 28, 2023 See notes to financial statements. 27 Table of Contents EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net earnings (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: 2023 2022 $ (2,504,900 ) $ 8,306,800 Depreciation and amortization Deferred income taxes Provision for doubtful accounts Provision for inventory valuation allowance Share-based compensation expense - net Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable Inventories - net Prepaid expenses and other assets Accounts payable Accrued salaries and commissions, and other liabilities Deferred revenues Income taxes payable/receivable Total adjustments Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property, plant and equipment Purchases of other assets Net cash used in investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Payments on term debt Payments on debt issuance costs Proceeds from term debt Sales of treasury stock Net borrowings (payments) under line of credit Dividends paid Net cash provided by financing activities NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF YEAR CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION: Cash paid for interest Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds) See notes to financial statements. 28 2,478,700 (678,100 ) - 715,900 907,800 732,100 9,086,900 (233,200 ) (8,547,900 ) (1,578,000 ) (78,900 ) (241,900 ) 2,563,400 58,500 2,126,700 (208,600 ) 115,800 235,700 1,046,500 (407,900 ) (21,396,900 ) (209,200 ) (6,201,300 ) (2,868,300 ) (1,794,300 ) 111,700 (29,450,100 ) (21,143,300 ) (1,578,800 ) (177,000 ) (1,755,800 ) (3,717,200 ) (223,700 ) (3,940,900 ) (25,900,100 ) (178,400 ) 36,000,000 63,400 (7,089,000 ) (870,700 ) 2,025,200 327,900 361,200 689,100 $ (1,277,700 ) - 15,244,700 617,100 12,478,200 (3,429,100 ) 23,633,200 (1,451,000 ) 1,812,200 361,200 1,986,000 $ (3,900 ) $ 890,000 2,970,000 $ $ $ Table of Contents EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2023 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2022 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Business—Educational Development Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” or “the Company”) distributes books and educational products and publications through our PaperPie and EDC Publishing (“Publishing”) divisions to individual consumers, book, toy and gift stores, libraries and home educators located throughout the United States (“U.S.”). We are the owner and exclusive publisher of Kane Miller children’s books; Learning Wrap-Ups, maker of educational manipulatives; and SmartLab Toys, maker of STEAM-based toys and games. We are also the exclusive United States Multi-Level Marketing (“MLM”) distributor of Usborne Publishing Limited (“Usborne”) children’s books. Estimates—Our financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Liquidity - In accordance with ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40), the Company has evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued. Determining the extent to which conditions or events raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and the extent to which mitigating plans sufficiently alleviate any such substantial doubt requires significant judgment and estimation by us. Our significant estimates related to this analysis may include identifying business factors such as changes in our brand partners, growth and profitability used in the forecasted financial results and liquidity. Further, we make assumptions about the probability that management's plans will be effectively implemented and alleviate substantial doubt and our ability to continue as a going concern. We believe that the estimated values used in our going concern analysis are based on reasonable assumptions. However, such assumptions are inherently uncertain and actual results could differ materially from those estimates. See Note 9 for more information about our going concern assessment. Sales Concentration—Significant portions of our sales are generated in our Direct Sales division, PaperPie. Of these sales, a substantial portion are facilitated through the use of social media collaboration platforms that allow our Brand Partners (formerly, consultants) to interact in real-time, or near real-time, with customers. Brand Partners use these platforms to invite potential customers to “online parties,” provide product recommendations, answer questions and provide links to other supporting online materials. When a customer is ready to purchase products from the online party, they are redirected from the social media platform to the Brand Partner’s company hosted e-commerce site where the order can be placed. Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, balances may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000. We have never experienced any losses related to these balances. The majority of payments due from banks for third party credit card transactions process within two business days. These amounts due are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents also include demand and time deposits, money market funds and other marketable securities with maturities of three months or less when acquired. Accounts Receivable—Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms, generally requiring payment within thirty days from the invoice date. Extended payment terms are offered at certain times of the year for orders that meet minimum quantities or amounts. Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customers’ remittance advice. Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimated reserve made for returns and discounts based on quarterly review of historical rates of returns and expected discounts to be taken. The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced, if needed, by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management periodically reviews accounts receivable balances and, based on an assessment of historical bad debts, current customer receivable balances, age of customer receivable balances, customers’ financial conditions and current economic trends, estimates the portion of the balance that will not be collected. Management provides for probable uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to a valuation account based on its assessment of the current status of the individual accounts. Balances which remain outstanding after management has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded as income when received. 29 Table of Contents Inventories—Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the average costing method. We present a portion of our inventory as a noncurrent asset. Occasionally we purchase products inventory in quantities in excess of what will be sold within the normal operating cycle due to the minimum order requirements of our primary supplier. We estimate noncurrent inventory using an anticipated turnover ratio by title, based primarily on historical trends. These excess quantities of 2½ years of anticipated sales are classified as noncurrent inventory. The Company assumes title and responsibility for inventory purchased according to the contract language with our suppliers and the individual shipment terms for the order. The Company maintains insurance for the value of the inventory once the title has been passed until it is received at our warehouse (“inventory in transit”). Brand Partners that meet certain eligibility requirements may request and receive inventory on consignment. Consignment inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, less an estimated reserve for consignment inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned to the Company. The total cost of inventory on consignment, excluding the estimated reserve, with Brand Partners was $1,531,600 and $1,399,200 at February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. The Company has reserved for consignment inventory not expected to be sold or returned of $488,500 and $505,100 as of February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Inventories are presented net of a valuation allowance, which includes reserves for inventory obsolescence and Brand Partner consignment inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned. Management estimates the allowance for both current and noncurrent inventory. The allowance is based on management’s identification of slow-moving inventory and estimated consignment inventory that will not be sold or returned. Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life, as follows: Building Building improvements Machinery and equipment Capitalized software Furniture and fixtures Molds and tooling 30 years 5 – 15 years 3 – 15 years 4 years 3 years 3 – 5 years Capitalized projects that are not placed in service are recorded as in progress and are not depreciated until the related assets are placed in service, including capitalized software. The development of customer and Brand Partner software applications are critical to our ongoing business operations and included in capitalized software. External and internal costs associated with the development of new software applications incurred during the application development stage are capitalized. Training and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, while upgrades and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that such expenditures will result in additional functionality. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—We review the value of long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable based on estimated future cash flows. Such indicators include, among others, the nature of the asset, the projected future economic benefit of the asset, historical and future cash flows and profitability measurements. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows expected from the asset, we recognize an impairment charge for the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its estimated fair value. Determination as to whether and how much an asset is impaired involves management estimates and can be impacted by other uncertainties. No impairment was noted during fiscal years 2023 or 2022. Leases—We have both lessee and lessor arrangements. Our leases are evaluated at inception or at any subsequent modification. Depending on the terms, leases are classified as either operating or finance leases if we are the lessee, or as operating, sales-type or direct financing leases if we are the lessor, as appropriate under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842 - Leases. In accordance with ASC 842, we have made an accounting policy election to not apply the standard to lessee arrangements with a term of one year or less and no purchase option that is reasonably certain of exercise. We will continue to account for these short-term arrangements by recognizing payments and expenses as incurred, without recording a lease liability and right-of-use asset. We have also made an accounting policy election for both our lessee and lessor arrangements to combine lease and non-lease components. This election is applied to all of our lease arrangements as our non-lease components are not material and do not result in significant timing differences in the recognition of rental expenses or income. Income Taxes—We account for income taxes under ASC 740 - Income Taxes, which requires an asset and liability approach. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using the current tax laws and rates. A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce net deferred tax assets to the amounts that are “more likely than not” to be realized. 30 Table of Contents Revenue Recognition—Revenue is derived from the sales of children’s books and related products which are generally capable of being distinct and accounted for as a single performance obligation to deliver tangible goods. Substantially all of our products are sold to end consumers through our PaperPie division and retail outlets through our Publishing division. Refer to Note 14 – Business Segments for revenue by segment. Revenues of both divisions are recognized when the product is shipped, FOB-Shipping Point, which is the point in time the customer obtains control of the products and risk of loss and rewards of ownership have been transferred. Sales taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for as a pass-through liability, and therefore are excluded from net sales. The majority of PaperPie’s sales contracts have a single performance obligation and are short-term in nature. PaperPie’s sales are generally collected at the time the product is ordered. Sales which have been paid for but not shipped are classified as deferred revenue on the balance sheets. Sales associated with consignment inventory are recognized when reported by the consignee and payment associated with the sale has been collected. Transportation revenue represents the amount billed to the customer for shipping the product and is recorded when the product is shipped. Certain PaperPie sales contracts associated with the hostess award programs include sales incentives, such as discounted products. These incentives provide a separate performance obligation in the contract and material right to the customer. The transaction price is allocated to the material right based on its relative standalone selling price and is recognized in revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied, which occurs at shipping point or at the expiration of the material right. As the products included as sales incentives are shipped with the associated products ordered, there is no deferral required. Revenues allocated to the material right are recognized in gross sales, discounts and allowances and cost of goods sold in our statements of operations. The majority of Publishing’s sales contracts have a single performance obligation and are short-term in nature. Publishing’s sales may be collected at the time the product is shipped or the customers may be given payment terms based primarily on their credit worthiness and payment history. Estimated allowances for sales returns, which reduce net revenues and cost of goods sold, are recorded as sales are recognized. Management uses a moving average calculation to estimate the allowance for sales returns. We are not responsible for product damaged in transit. Damaged returns are primarily from retail stores. These returns result from damage that occurs in the stores, not in shipping to the stores. It is industry practice to accept non-damaged returns from retail customers. Management has estimated sales returns of approximately $201,500 as of both February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, which is included in other current liabilities on the Company’s balance sheets. In addition, management has recorded an asset for the expected value of non-damaged inventories to be returned. The estimated value of returned products of $100,800 is included in other current assets on the Company’s balance sheets as of both February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022. The Company generally expenses sales commissions in the same period that the revenue is recognized. These costs are recorded within operating expenses. The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an unexpected length of one year or less. Advertising Costs—Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses, included in general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations, were $428,600 and $765,100 for the years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Shipping and Handling Costs—We classify shipping and handling costs as operating and selling expenses in the statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs include postage, freight, handling costs, as well as shipping materials and supplies. These costs were $13,588,400 and $22,005,600 for the years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Share-Based Compensation—We account for share-based compensation whereby share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted stock, are measured at estimated fair value at the date of grant. For awards subject to service conditions, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Awards subject to performance conditions are attributed separately for each vesting tranche of the award and are recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for each tranche. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. Earnings per Share—Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is based on the combined weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares issuable which include, where appropriate, the assumed exercise of options and the assumed vesting of granted restricted share awards. In computing Diluted EPS, we have utilized the treasury stock method. 31 Table of Contents The computation of weighted average common and common equivalent shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS is shown below: Year Ended February 28, 2022 2023 Earnings (loss) per share: Net earnings (loss) applicable to common shareholders $ (2,504,900 ) $ 8,306,800 Shares: Weighted average shares outstanding-basic Issued unvested restricted stock and assumed shares issuable under granted unvested restricted stock awards Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted 8,157,704 8,039,843 - 8,157,704 412,497 8,452,340 Diluted earnings (loss) per share: Basic Diluted $ $ (0.31 ) $ (0.31 ) $ 1.03 0.98 As shown in the table below, the following shares have not been included in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share as they would be anti-dilutive to the calculation above. Weighted average shares: Issued unvested restricted stock and assumed shares issuable under granted unvested restricted stock awards Year Ended February 28, 2022 2023 222,395 - New Accounting Pronouncements—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) periodically issues new accounting standards in a continuing effort to improve standards of financial accounting and reporting. We have reviewed the recently issued pronouncements and concluded that no new accounting standard updates (“ASU”) had or may have a material impact on the Company. 2. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: Current: Product inventory Inventory valuation allowance Inventories net - current Noncurrent: Product inventory Inventory valuation allowance Inventories net - noncurrent February 28, 2023 2022 59,577,400 $ (490,900 ) 59,086,500 $ 72,064,400 (510,800 ) 71,553,600 5,135,200 $ (415,600 ) 4,719,600 $ 2,437,600 (382,300 ) 2,055,300 $ $ $ $ Inventory in transit totaled $850,100 and $2,732,400 at February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Product inventory quantities in excess of what we expect will be sold within the normal operating cycle, based on 2 ½ years of anticipated sales, are included in noncurrent inventory. 32 Table of Contents 3. BUSINESS CONCENTRATION Significant portions of our inventory purchases are concentrated with an England-based publishing company, Usborne Publishing Limited (“Usborne”). During fiscal 2023, we entered into a new distribution agreement (“Agreement”) with Usborne. The Agreement includes annual minimum purchase volumes along with specific payment terms and letter of credit requirements, which if not met may result in Usborne having the right to terminate the Agreement on less than 30 days’ written notice. Should termination of the Agreement occur, the Company will be allowed to sell its remaining Usborne inventory for an agreed upon period, but not less than twelve months following the termination date. As of February 28, 2023, the Company did not meet the minimum purchase requirements and did not supply the letter of credit required under the Agreement, which could allow Usborne to exercise their option to terminate the Agreement. Usborne has not notified the Company of termination of the Agreement. Usborne has refused to pay the $1.0 million volume rebate owed to the Company from purchases made during fiscal 2022. The Company is disputing the cancellation of the rebate but has not recognized any rebate in fiscal 2023 due to its uncertainty. Additionally, under the terms in the Agreement, the Company no longer has the rights to distribute Usborne’s products to retail customers after November 15, 2022, at which time Usborne was to use a different distributor to supply retail accounts with its products. As a courtesy upon Usborne’s request, the November 15, 2022 transition was extended until their new supplier can start distribution in 2023. Gross sales attributed to Usborne’s products sold within the Publishing division accounted for 83.1%, or $23,220,600, during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023, and 86.5%, or $24,341,100, during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2022. Purchases received from Usborne were approximately $11,448,500 and $42,596,300 for the years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Total inventory purchases for those same periods were approximately $20,377,600 and $64,670,700, respectively. Included in our balance sheets, outstanding accounts payable due to Usborne as of February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022 were $117,600 and $6,361,500, respectively. Total Usborne inventory owned by the Company and included in our balance sheets were $35,363,500 and $44,170,000 as of February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. 4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment consist of the following: Land Building Building improvements Machinery and equipment Furniture and fixtures Capitalized software Molds and tooling Capitalized software - in progress Total property, plant and equipment Less accumulated depreciation Property, plant and equipment-net February 28, 2023 4,107,200 $ 20,424,900 2,274,200 14,234,900 121,700 1,236,300 704,000 1,265,000 44,368,200 (14,711,800 ) 29,656,400 $ 2022 4,107,200 20,424,900 2,274,100 14,223,500 110,800 1,151,900 - 496,900 42,789,300 (12,305,300 ) 30,484,000 $ $ During fiscal year 2022, the Company added two new pick-pack-ship lines to increase the Company’s daily shipping capacity and acquired Learning Wrap-Ups. In fiscal year 2023, the Company purchased the SmartLab Toys product line and opened facilities in Seattle, Washington. The Company has continued its development of its new customer portal and e-commerce platform, both of which are expected to be released in fiscal year 2024. 5. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES Other current liabilities consist of the following: Accrued royalties Accrued PaperPie incentives Accrued freight Sales tax payable Allowance for expected inventory returns Other Total other current liabilities 33 February 28, 2023 2022 504,400 $ 1,189,900 120,300 394,800 201,500 883,100 3,294,000 $ 873,800 1,610,800 191,400 499,900 201,500 520,500 3,897,900 $ $ Table of Contents 6. INCOME TAXES Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The tax effects of significant items comprising our net deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: Deferred tax assets: Allowance for doubtful accounts Inventory overhead capitalization Inventory valuation allowance Inventory valuation allowance – noncurrent Allowance for sales returns Research and development capitalization Net operating loss carryforward (1) Accruals Total deferred tax assets Deferred tax liabilities: Property, plant and equipment Total deferred tax liabilities $ February 28, 2023 2022 57,200 $ 170,100 132,500 112,200 27,200 291,600 830,900 1,069,100 2,690,800 90,900 203,500 137,900 103,200 27,200 - - 953,600 1,516,300 (1,894,000 ) (1,894,000 ) (1,397,600 ) (1,397,600 ) Net deferred income tax assets $ 796,800 $ 118,700 (1) The Company’s net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward was generated from losses incurred in fiscal 2023. The Company’s NOL can be carried forward indefinitely, but are limited to a 80% maximum offset of taxable income. Authoritative guidance requires a valuation allowance to be established when determining whether deferred tax assets are more likely-than-not to be realized. Based on the Company’s evaluation, we determined the net deferred tax assets do meet the requirements to be realized, and as such, no valuation allowance has been established. The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows: Current: Federal (1) State (1) Deferred: Federal State Total income tax expense (benefit) February 28, 2023 2022 $ $ - $ - - (719,700 ) (202,300 ) (922,000 ) (922,000 ) $ 2,663,900 623,700 3,287,600 (304,400 ) (54,100 ) (358,500 ) 2,929,100 (1) The Company incurred losses in fiscal 2023, resulting in a net operating loss carryforward and reclassification from current to deferred. 34 Table of Contents The following reconciles our expected income tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate: U.S. federal statutory income tax rate U.S. state and local income taxes–net of federal benefit Other Total income tax expense February 28, 2023 2022 21.0 % 5.7 % 0.2 % 26.9 % 21.0 % 5.5 % (0.4 )% 26.1 % We file our tax returns in the U.S. and certain state jurisdictions in which we have nexus. We are no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for fiscal years before 2017. Based upon a review of our income tax filing positions, we believe that our positions would be sustained upon an audit and do not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to our financial position. Therefore, no reserves for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded. We classify interest and penalties associated with income taxes as a component of income tax expense on the statements of operations. 7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN The Company has created the Educational Development Corporation Employee 401(k) Plan (“EDC 401(k) Plan”) as a benefit plan for employees offering retirement investment options as well as profit sharing with its employees, in the form of matching contributions. The EDC 401(k) Plan includes, as an investment option, the ability to purchase shares of the Company’s stock which the Plan Administrator acquires directly from the NASDAQ. This plan incorporates the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code that allow favorable tax treatments on investments. The EDC 401(k) Plan is available to all employees that meet specific age and length of service requirements. The Company’s matching contributions are discretionary and approved annually at a meeting of the EDC 401(k) Plan’s Trustees and Company’s management. Matching contributions made to the Plan by the Company totaled $160,800 and $161,300 during the years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. 8. LEASES We have both lessee and lessor arrangements. Our lessee arrangements include four rental agreements where we have the exclusive use of dedicated office space in San Diego, California, warehouse and office space in Layton, Utah, warehouse and office space in Seattle, Washington, and warehouse space locally in Tulsa, OK, all of which qualify as an operating lease. Our lessor arrangements includes one rental agreement for warehouse and office space in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and qualifies as an operating lease under ASC 842. Operating Leases – Lessee We recognize a lease liability, reported in other liabilities on the balance sheets, for each lease based on the present value of remaining minimum fixed rental payments (which includes payments under any renewal option that we are reasonably certain to exercise), using a discount rate that approximates the rate of interest we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term. We also recognize a right-of-use asset, reported in other assets on the balance sheets, for each lease, valued at the lease liability and adjusted for prepaid or accrued rent balances existing at the time of initial recognition. The lease liability and right-of-use asset are reduced over the term of the lease as payments are made and the assets are used. Operating lease assets: Right-of-use assets Operating lease liabilities: Current lease liabilities Long-term lease liabilities Weighted-average remaining lease term (months) Weighted-average discount rate 35 $ $ $ February 28, 2023 2022 823,600 $ 495,800 347,800 $ 475,800 $ 111,000 384,800 36.3 4.01 % 57.0 3.06 % Table of Contents Minimum fixed rental payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease as costs and expenses in our statements of operations. Variable and short-term rental payments are recognized as costs and expenses as they are incurred. February 28, 2023 2022 Fixed lease costs $ 154,400 $ 35,300 Future minimum rental payments under operating leases with initial terms greater than one year as of February 28, 2023, are as follows: Years ending February 28 (29), 2024 2025 2026 2027 Total future minimum rental payments Less: imputed interest Total operating lease liabilities 402,700 270,500 122,200 72,800 868,200 (44,600 ) 823,600 $ The following table provides further information about our operating leases reported in our financial statements: February 28, 2023 2022 Operating cash flows – operating leases $ 154,400 $ 35,300 Operating Leases – Lessor In connection with the 2015 purchase of our 400,000 square-foot facility on 40 acres, we entered into a 15-year lease with the seller, a non-related third party, who leases 181,300 square feet, or 45.3% of the facility. The lessee pays $121,500 per month, through the lease anniversary date of December 2023, with a 2.0% annual increase adjustment on each anniversary date thereafter. The lease terms allow for one five-year extension, which is not a bargain renewal option, at the expiration of the 15-year term. Revenues associated with the lease are being recorded on a straight-line basis over the initial lease term and are reported in other income in the statements of operations. We recognize variable rental payments as revenue in the period in which the changes in facts and circumstances, on which the variable lease payments are based, occur. Future minimum payments receivable under operating leases with terms greater than one year are estimated as follows: Years ending February 28 (29), 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Thereafter Total 1,568,900 1,547,100 1,524,300 1,554,800 1,585,900 4,950,300 12,731,300 $ The cost of the leased space was approximately $10,637,900 and $10,834,300 as of February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. The accumulated depreciation associated with the leased assets was $2,853,200 and $2,603,300 as of February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Both the leased assets and accumulated depreciation are included in property, plant and equipment- net on the balance sheets. 36 Table of Contents 9. DEBT Debt consists of the following: Line of credit Floating rate term loan(s) (1) Fixed rate term loan Total term debt Less current portion Less debt issue cost Long-term debt, net February 28, 2023 2022 $ $ $ 10,634,500 $ 17,723,500 20,475,000 $ 14,625,000 35,100,000 14,651,000 10,349,100 25,000,100 (34,894,900 ) (205,100 ) - $ (2,542,200 ) (48,400 ) 22,409,500 (1) The February 28, 2022 floating rate term loans balance of $14,651,000 was comprised of the MidFirst Bank advancing term loans #1 and #2. On August 9, 2022, the Company repaid in full all outstanding indebtedness and terminated all commitments and obligations under its Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated February 15, 2021 (as amended), between the Company and MidFirst Bank. The Company’s payment to MidFirst Bank, including interest, was $45,028,600, which satisfied all of the Company’s debt obligations with MidFirst Bank. The Company did not incur any early termination penalties as a result of the repayment of indebtedness or termination of the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, which provided Term Loan #1, Advancing Term Loan #1, Advancing Term Loan #2 and the Revolving Loan. In connection with the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, the Company was automatically and permanently released from all security interests, mortgages, liens and encumbrances under the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement with MidFirst Bank. The material terms of the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement with MidFirst Bank are described in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 5, 2022. On August 9, 2022, the Company executed a new credit agreement (“Loan Agreement”) with BOKF, NA (“Bank of Oklahoma” or the “Lender”). The Loan Agreement establishes a fixed rate term loan in the principal amount of $15,000,000 (the “Fixed Rate Term Loan”), a floating rate term loan in the principal amount of $21,000,000 (the “Floating Rate Term Loan”; together with the Fixed Rate Term Loan, collectively, the “Term Loans”), and a revolving promissory note in the principal amount up to $15,000,000 (the “Revolving Loan” or “Line of Credit”). Features of the Loan Agreement include: (i) Term Loans on 20-year amortization with 5-year maturity date of August 9, 2027 (ii) Revolving Loan maturity date of August 9, 2023 (iii) Fixed Rate Term Loan bears interest at a fixed rate per annum equal to 4.26% (iv) Floating Rate Term Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR Rate + 1.75% (effective rate was 6.28% at February 28, 2023) (v) Revolving Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR Rate + 2.50% (effective rate was 7.03% at February 28, 2023) (vi) Revolving Loan allows for Letters of Credit up to $7,500,000 upon bank approval (none were outstanding at February 28, 2023) The Loan Agreement also contains provisions that require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge ratio and limits any additional debt with other lenders. The Company was in violation of the minimum fixed charge ratio covenant as of February 28, 2023, for which the Company obtained a written waiver of compliance from the Lender. Available credit under the current $15,000,000 revolving line of credit with the Company’s Lender was approximately $4,365,500 at February 28, 2023. On December 22, 2022, the Company executed the First Amendment to our Loan Agreement with the Lender. This amendment clarified the definition of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to exclude dividends paid prior to November 30, 2022, and placed restrictions on acquisitions and cash dividends. 37 Table of Contents On May 10, 2023, the Company executed the Second Amendment to our Loan Agreement with the Lender. This amendment waived the fixed charge ratio default which occurred on February 28, 2023. The Second Amendment also added a cumulative maximum level of fiscal year to date inventory purchases through the expiration of the Revolving Loan Agreement, increased the borrowing rate on the Company’s Revolving Loan to Term SOFR Rate plus 3.5%, requires certain swap agreements, reduced the revolving commitment from $15,000,000 to $14,000,000, effective May 10, 2023, and further reduced the revolving commitment to $13,500,000, effective July 15, 2023, among other items. The Company does not expect to meet the fixed charge ratio, outlined in the amended Loan Agreement, during fiscal year 2024. Under the terms of the amended Loan Agreement, not meeting this ratio could represent an Event of Default. Should an Event of Default occur, the Lender will have the right to accelerate the maturities of the Fixed Rate Term Loan and Floating Rate Term Loan. As an Event of Default is expected, and no waiver of the Event of Default is guaranteed to be received by the Lender, the long-term maturities of the Fixed Rate Term Loan and Float Rate Term Loan have been reclassified as current liabilities. While the Company received a waiver for the fixed charge ratio default that occurred on February 28, 2023, the borrowing and purchasing capacity was restricted and management's forecast indicated that the Company will be out of compliance in future periods. An Event of Default is expected associated with the amended Loan Agreement, there is no guaranty that the Event of Default will be waived by the Lender, and the bank may choose to accelerate the maturities of the Fixed Rate Term Loan and Floating Rate Term Loan. These conditions, among others in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt over the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management has plans to enter into a new financing agreement by August 9, 2023, with the Lender, that will allow it to operate without default and reclassify the non-current portions of the Fixed Rate Term Loan and Floating Rate Term Loan as long-term liabilities. In addition, management’s plans include reducing inventory and related borrowing costs, building the active PaperPie Brand Partners to pre-pandemic levels, as the distraction and costs associated with the rebrand that occurred in fiscal year 2023 are expected to have a lesser impact in the future, reducing expenses due to lower revenue volumes and receipt of the contingent Employee Retention Credit. Although there is no guarantee, we believe management's plans are probable of being achieved to alleviate the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and we will have sufficient liquidity to meet our obligations as they become due over the next twelve months. The following table reflects aggregate current maturities of term debt, excluding the Revolving Loan, during the next fiscal years as follows: Year ending February 29, 2024 Total $ 35,100,000 $ 35,100,000 10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES As of February 28, 2023, the Company had outstanding purchase commitments for inventory totaling $4,868,600, which will be received and payments due during fiscal year 2024. Of these inventory commitments, $2,309,000 were with Usborne, $2,103,300 with various Kane Miller publishers and the remaining $456,300 with other suppliers. As a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) which contained a number of programs to assist workers, families and businesses. Part of the CARES Act provides an Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) which is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of qualified wages paid, up to $10,000 per employee annually, from March 12, 2020 through January 1, 2021. Additional relief provisions were passed by the United States government, which extended and expanded the qualified wage caps on these credits to 70% of qualified wages paid, up to $10,000 per employee per quarter, through September 30, 2021. At the time of the original filing of Form 941, we were unaware that we qualified for the ERC. Subsequent to the original filing, we became aware of our qualification based on a more than nominal impact to the business due to a government order/mandate. We recognized our qualification during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 based on a study provided by a third party amounting to $1,369,900 in the first quarter of 2021, $1,065,900 in the second quarter of 2021, and $1,196,100 in the third quarter of 2021. On April 11, 2023 the Company filed 2021 Q1, Q2 and Q3 941-X forms to claim a refund for the ERC. Due to the subjectivity of the credit, the Company elected to account for the ERC as a gain under ASC 450-30, Gain Contingencies. The Company will not recognize the credit until all uncertainties are resolved and the income is “realized” or “realizable.” 38 Table of Contents 11. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION We account for share-based compensation whereby share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted stock, are measured at estimated fair value at the date of grant. For awards subject to service conditions, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Awards subject to performance conditions are attributed separately for each vesting tranche of the award and are recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for each tranche. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. The probability of restricted share awards granted with future performance conditions is evaluated at each reporting period and share awards are updated and compensation expense is adjusted based on updated information. In July 2018, our shareholders approved the Company’s 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2019 LTI Plan”). The 2019 LTI Plan established up to 600,000 shares of restricted stock available to be granted to certain members of management based on exceeding specified net revenues and pre-tax performance metrics during fiscal years 2019, 2020 or 2021. The Company exceeded all defined metrics during these fiscal years and 600,000 shares were granted to members of management according to the Plan. The granted shares under the 2019 LTI Plan “cliff vest” after five years from the fiscal year that the defined metrics were exceeded. In July 2021, our shareholders approved the Company’s 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2022 LTI Plan”). The 2022 LTI Plan establishes up to 300,000 shares of restricted stock available to be granted to certain members of management based on exceeding specified net revenues and pre-tax performance metrics during fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The number of restricted shares to be distributed depends on attaining the performance metrics defined by the 2022 LTI Plan and may result in the distribution of a number of shares that is less than, but not greater than, the number of restricted shares outlined in the terms of the 2022 LTI Plan. Restricted shares granted under the 2022 LTI Plan “cliff vest” after five years from the fiscal year that the defined metrics were exceeded. During fiscal year 2019, the Company granted 308,000 restricted shares under the 2019 LTI Plan with an average grant-date fair value of $9.94 per share. In fiscal year 2021, 5,000 restricted shares were forfeited and later regranted to other participants. During fiscal year 2023, 10,000 restricted shares were forfeited, along with 969 additional shares purchased with dividends received from the original issue date. The 10,000 forfeited shares were re-granted to participants during the fiscal 2023 third quarter with an average grant- date fair value of $2.08. The 969 shares purchased with dividends were not reissued. The 303,000 outstanding shares were vested on February 28, 2023. During fiscal year 2021, the Company granted 297,000 restricted shares under the 2019 LTI Plan with an average grant-date fair value of $6.30 per share. During fiscal year 2023, 18,000 restricted shares were forfeited, along with 760 additional shares purchased with dividends received from the original issue date. The 18,000 forfeited shares were re-granted to participants during fiscal 2023 with an average grant-date fair value of $2.08. The 760 shares purchased with dividends were not reissued. The remaining compensation expense of these awards, totaling approximately $769,500 as of February 28, 2023, will be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period of 24 months. As of February 28, 2023, no shares were granted under the 2022 LTI Plan. A summary of compensation expense recognized in connection with restricted share awards as follows: Share-based compensation expense $ 907,800 $ 1,046,500 The following table summarizes stock award activity during fiscal year 2023 under the 2019 LTI Plan: Year Ended February 28, 2022 2023 Outstanding at February 28, 2022 Granted Vested Forfeited Outstanding at February 28, 2023 39 Weighted Average Fair Value (per share) 8.14 2.08 9.68 7.60 6.04 Shares 600,000 $ 28,000 (303,000 ) (28,000 ) 297,000 $ Table of Contents As of February 28, 2023, total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted shares was $769,500, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 24.0 months. 12. STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN In April 2008, the Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of our common stock under the plan initiated in 1998 (“amended 2008 plan”). On February 4, 2019, the Board of Directors replaced the amended 2008 plan with a new plan which authorized us to repurchase up to 800,000 shares of outstanding common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, and to utilize any derivative or similar instrument to effect share repurchase transactions (including without limitation, accelerated share repurchase contracts, equity forward transactions, equity swap transactions, floor transactions or other similar transactions or any combination of the foregoing transactions). This plan has no expiration date. During fiscal years 2023 and 2022, there were no repurchases under the 2019 stock repurchase plan. The maximum number of shares that may be repurchased in the future is 514,594. 13. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022: Net Revenues Gross Margin Net Earnings (Loss) Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share 215,800 $ $ 23,160,900 $ 15,309,400 $ (801,900 ) 19,418,300 12,478,600 30,269,400 19,228,000 900 14,980,400 9,053,800 (1,919,700 ) $ 87,829,000 $ 56,069,800 $ (2,504,900 ) $ $ 40,807,900 $ 28,778,000 $ 3,438,100 $ 32,994,400 22,495,500 1,898,200 45,112,300 31,215,000 2,646,600 23,314,200 15,442,800 323,900 $ 142,228,800 $ 97,931,300 $ 8,306,800 $ 0.03 $ (0.10 ) 0.00 (0.24 ) (0.31 ) $ 0.43 $ 0.23 0.33 0.04 1.03 $ 0.03 (0.10 ) 0.00 (0.24 ) (0.31 ) 0.41 0.22 0.31 0.04 0.98 2023 First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Total year 2022 First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Total year 14. BUSINESS SEGMENTS We have two reportable segments: PaperPie and Publishing. These reportable segments are business units that offer different methods of distribution to different types of customers. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. Our PaperPie segment markets its products through a network of independent brand partners using a combination of internet sales, direct sales, home shows and book fairs. Our Publishing segment markets its products to retail accounts, which include book, school supply, toy and gift stores, museums, trade and specialty wholesalers, through commissioned sales representatives and our internal tele-sales group. See Note 3 for the impact of our updated distribution agreement on the Publishing segment. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the rest of the Company. We evaluate segment performance based on earnings before income taxes of the segments, which is defined as segment net revenues reduced by cost of sales and direct expenses. Corporate expenses, depreciation, interest expense and income taxes are not allocated to the segments but are listed in the “Other” row below. Corporate expenses include the executive department, accounting department, information services department, general office management, warehouse operations and building facilities management. Our assets and liabilities are not allocated on a segment basis. 40 Table of Contents Information by industry segment for the years ended February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022 is set forth below: Publishing PaperPie Total Publishing PaperPie Other Total NET REVENUES 2023 13,282,300 $ 74,546,700 87,829,000 $ 2022 13,250,300 128,978,500 142,228,800 $ $ EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES 2023 3,186,800 $ 9,170,600 (15,784,300 ) (3,426,900 ) $ 2022 3,639,800 24,437,500 (16,841,400 ) 11,235,900 $ $ 15. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The following methods and assumptions are used in estimating the fair-value disclosures for financial instruments: - The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. - The estimated fair value of our term notes payable is estimated by management to approximate $34,253,500 and $24,521,600 as of February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively. Management's estimates are based on the obligations' characteristics, including floating interest rate, maturity, and collateral. 16. DEFERRED REVENUES The Company’s PaperPie division receives payments on orders in advance of shipment. Any payments received prior to our fiscal year end that were not shipped as of February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022 are recorded as deferred revenues on the balance sheets. We received approximately $602,700 and $681,600 as of February 28, 2023 and February 28, 2022, respectively, in payments for sales orders which were, or will be, shipped out subsequent to the fiscal year end. 17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On May 10, 2023, the Company executed the Second Amendment to our Loan Agreement with BOKF, NA. This amendment waived the fixed charge ratio default which occurred on February 28, 2023. The Second Amendment also added a cumulative maximum level of fiscal year to date inventory purchases through the expiration of the Revolving Loan Agreement, increased the borrowing rate on the Company’s Revolving Loan to Term SOFR Rate + 3.5%, reduced the revolving commitment from $15,000,000 to $14,000,000, effective May 10, 2023, and further reduced the revolving commitment to $13,500,000, effective July 15, 2023, among lesser items. See Note 9 for more information about our going concern assessment. 41 Exhibit 10.18 SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT This SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of May 10, 2023, is by and between EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”) and BOKF, NA DBA BANK OF OKLAHOMA (the “Lender”). RECITALS: A. The Borrower and the Lender have previously entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 9, 2022, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 2022 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”; the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, is referred to herein as the “Credit Agreement”). B. An Event of Default has occurred by virtue of the Borrower having failed to comply with the minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio covenant set forth in Section 6.12 of the Existing Credit Agreement for the fiscal quarter ending February 28, 2023 (the “Existing Event of Default”). C. The Borrower has requested, and the Lender has agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, to (i) waive the Existing Event of Default and (ii) amend the Existing Credit Agreement as herein provided. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows: ARTICLE I Definitions Section 1.1 Definitions. All terms used herein which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meanings when used herein, unless the context hereof otherwise requires or provides. In addition, all references in the Loan Documents to the “Agreement” and the “Credit Agreement” shall mean the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, as the same shall hereafter be amended from time to time. ARTICLE II Limited Waiver Section 2.1 Limited Waiver. Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, upon the effectiveness of this Amendment, the Lender hereby waives the Existing Event of Default. The waiver of the Existing Event of Default as set forth herein shall be limited precisely as written and shall not be deemed to (a) be a waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Credit Agreement, or (b) prejudice any right or remedy which the Lender may now have or may have in the future (except the extent such right or remedy is based upon the Existing Event of Default) under or in connection with the Credit Agreement. With respect to the Term Loans, the waiver shall be extended through the Revolving Loan Maturity Date. ARTICLE III Amendments to Existing Credit Agreement Section 3.1 Section 1.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the definition of Applicable Margin as follows: “Applicable Margin” means, for any day, with respect to any Loan, or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the applicable caption below: Revolver SOFR Spread Fixed Rate Term Loan Spread 3.50% 0.00% Floating Rate Term Loan Spread 1.75% Section 3.2 Section 1.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add the definition of Financial Advisor as follows: “Financial Advisor” means a third party financial advisor (i) that is engaged by the Borrower, at its expense, (ii) that is satisfactory to the Lender, and (iii) the scope of the engagement of which is satisfactory to the Lender. Section 3.3 Section 1.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended by amending and restating the definition of Revolving Commitment as follows: “Revolving Commitment” means the commitment of the Lender to make Revolving Loans hereunder up to (a) during the period from and after the Second Amendment Effective Date to and including July 14, 2023, $14,000,000, and (b) from and after July 15, 2023, $13,500,000. Section 3.4 Section 1.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add the definition of Second Amendment Effective Date as follows: “Second Amendment Effective Date” means May 10, 2023. Section 3.5 Section 5.01(m) is hereby added to the Credit Agreement as follows: (m) as soon as available and in any event no later than 5:00 p.m. Tulsa, Oklahoma time on Friday of each week, its weekly cash flow projections for each of the 13 weeks immediately following such week, all in such reasonable detail and in such form as is acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion. Section 3.6 Section 5.17 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: SECTION 5.17. Hilti Lease Payments. The Borrower shall, at its sole expense, establish and maintain a lock box with the Lender pursuant to an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender which shall provide, in part, that, commencing the later of (a) June 1, 2023, and (b) the first day of the month following Hilti’s acknowledgement and acceptance of the Borrower’s obligations under this Section 5.17, but in no event later than August 8, 2023: (i) the Borrower shall (or shall cause Hilti to) remit all payments owing to the Borrower under the Hilti Lease to such lock box, and (ii) all such payments will be applied to the Secured Obligations at such times and in such order as the Lender may elect. Section 3.7 Section 5.19 is hereby added to the Credit Agreement as follows: SECTION 5.19. Financial Advisor. On or before May 1, 2023, and until no longer required by the Lender, the Borrower shall hire and maintain a Financial Advisor. Section 3.8 Section 5.20 is hereby added to the Credit Agreement as follows: SECTION 5.20. Required Swap Agreements. (a) On or prior to the date that is 30 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date (or such later date as the Lender may agree in its sole discretion), the Borrower shall enter into one or more Swap Agreements with the Lender or an Affiliate of the Lender which effectively enable the Borrower to protect itself against the risk of interest rate fluctuations as to an aggregate notional amount no less than (i) $13,000,000 (subject to Section 5.20(b)) of the outstanding principal amount from time to time of the Floating Rate Term Loan, hedged through the fiscal quarter ending May 31, 2025; and (ii) $5,000,000 (subject to Section 5.20(b)) of the outstanding principal amount from time to time of the Floating Rate Term Loan, hedged through the fiscal quarter ending May 31, 2024 (collectively, the “Required Swap Agreements”). (b) If on any date from and after the date on which the Required Swap Agreements are executed until the Term Loan Maturity Date the aggregate notional amount covered by the Required Swap Agreements exceeds 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Floating Rate Term Loan, the Borrower shall, within 10 Business Days of becoming aware of such excess, if such excess is continuing after that period, adjust such notional amount in order for such percentage not to exceed 100% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Floating Rate Term Loan; provided, however, that such adjustment shall be made on a pro rata basis across all Required Swap Agreements. Section 3.9 Section 6.07 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: SECTION 6.07. Swap Agreements. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary) and not for purposes of speculation, and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from floating to fixed rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, Required Swap Agreements). Section 3.10 Section 6.12 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows: SECTION 6.12. Financial Covenant. The Borrower will not at any time permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to be less than 1.25 to 1.00, measured quarterly; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall not be measured as of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending May 31, 2023. Section 3.11 Section 6.13 is hereby added to the Credit Agreement as follows: SECTION 6.13. Maximum Inventory Purchase. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the aggregate amount of Inventory purchased by the Loan Parties shall not exceed: (a) during the period from and including March 1, 2023, through and including May 31, 2023, $3,651,873; (b) during the period from and including March 1, 2023, through and including June 30, 2023, $4,438,598; and (c) during the period from and including March 1, 2023, through and including July 31, 2023, $5,266,493. ARTICLE IV Ratifications Section 4.1 Ratifications by Borrower. (a) The terms and provisions set forth in this Amendment shall modify and supersede all inconsistent terms and provisions set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and except as expressly modified and superseded by this Amendment, the terms and provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are ratified and confirmed and shall continue in full force and effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Lender has made demand and provided reasonable prior notice to the Borrower of the Lender’s exercise of its rights under Sections 5.06 and 5.12 of the Credit Agreement, as applicable, including, without limitation, Lender’s right to (a) visit and inspect the Borrower’s properties to conduct a field examination and audit of the Borrower’s assets, liabilities, books and records; and (b) request, and receive from the Borrower, updated appraisals of the Borrower’s Inventory and real property; all as more particularly described in the Credit Agreement. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that failure to permit such field examination and audit and provide such appraisals to the Lender by August 8, 2023, shall constitute an Event of Default. (b) The Borrower and the Lender agree that each of the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and the other Loan Documents to which each is a party shall continue to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its respective terms. This Amendment is a “Loan Document” as referred to in the Credit Agreement and the provisions relating to Loan Documents in the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, the same as if set forth verbatim in this Amendment. Section 4.2 Representations and Warranties of the Borrower. Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Lender that (a) the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and any and all other Loan Documents executed and/or delivered by Borrower in connection herewith have been authorized by all requisite action on the part of Borrower and will not violate any organizational document of Borrower, (b) the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents, as amended hereby, are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties speak to a specific date, and (c) no Default or Event of Default exists. ARTICLE V Conditions Precedent Section 5.1 Conditions Precedent. The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent: (a) Amendment and Other Documents. Lender shall have received: (i) this Amendment duly executed by the Borrower; (ii) any documents, instruments, agreements, amendments or supplements as Lender may require, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, to modify the documents governing the Banking Services, including, without limitation, to (A) require all of the Borrower’s automated clearinghouse transactions to be pre-funded; (B) reduce the Borrower’s commercial credit card limit from $350,000 to $100,000; and (C) require the Borrower’s commercial credit card with the Lender to be 100% cash secured; and (iii) such other documents, instruments and agreements as Lender may require. (b) Waiver Fee. The Borrower shall have paid to the Lender a waiver fee of $12,500.00 in immediately available funds. (c) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall exist. (d) Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of this Amendment with the same force and effect as if such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties speak to a specific date. (e) Other Fees and Expenses. The Lender shall have received payment of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by Lender in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents. ARTICLE VI Miscellaneous Section 6.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made in this Amendment or any other document executed in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Amendment, and no investigation by the Lender or any closing shall affect the representations and warranties or the right of the Lender to rely upon them. Section 6.2 Reference to Agreement. Each of the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any and all other agreements, documents, or instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered pursuant to the terms hereof or pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and the other Loan Documents are hereby amended so that any reference in such documents to the Credit Agreement shall mean a reference to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby. Section 6.3 Expenses of Lender. As provided in the Credit Agreement, Borrower agrees to pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this Amendment and any other documents executed pursuant hereto and any and all amendments, modifications, and supplements thereto, including without limitation the costs and reasonable fees of Lender’s legal counsel, and all costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, or any other document executed in connection therewith, including without limitation the costs and reasonable fees of Lender’s legal counsel. Section 6.4 Severability. Any provision of this Amendment held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not impair or invalidate the remainder of this Amendment and the effect thereof shall be confined to the provision so held to be invalid or unenforceable. Section 6.5 Applicable Law. This Amendment and all other documents executed pursuant hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma. Section 6.6 Successors and Assigns. This Amendment is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Lender, Borrower and their respective successors and assigns, except Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Lender. Section 6.7 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or as an attachment to an electronic mail message in .pdf, .jpeg, .TIFF or similar electronic format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment for all purposes. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Amendment and any other Loan Document to be signed in connection with this Amendment, the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that nothing herein shall require the Lender to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent. For the purposes hereof, “Electronic Signatures” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record. Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it has the corporate capacity and authority to execute the Amendment through electronic means and there are no restrictions for doing so in that party’s constitutive documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Lender and Borrower, electronic images of this Amendment or any other Loan Document (in each case, including with respect to any signature pages thereto) shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (ii) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of such Loan Document, including with respect to any signature pages thereto. Any party sending an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile, pdf, tiff, Electronic Signature or any other electronic means shall also send the original thereof to Lender within five (5) days following Lender’s request therefor, but failure to do so shall not affect the validity, enforceability, or binding effect of this Amendment. Section 6.8 Headings. The headings, captions, and arrangements used in this Amendment are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Amendment. Section 6.9 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS EXECUTED AND DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AMENDMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED OR VARIED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OR DISCUSSIONS OF THE PARTIES HERETO. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO. [Signature Pages Follow] Executed as of the date first written above. BORROWER: EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation By: /s/ Craig White Name: Craig White Title: President & Chief Executive Officer LENDER: BOKF, NA DBA BANK OF OKLAHOMA, a Delaware corporation By: /s/ Julie Chase Name: Julie H. Chase Title: Senior Vice President Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (No. 33-60188, 333-100659 and 333-231817) on Form S- 8 of Educational Development Corporation of our reports dated May 17, 2023, relating to the financial statements of Educational Development Corporation, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Educational Development Corporation for the year ended February 28, 2023. /s/ HOGANTAYLOR LLP Tulsa, Oklahoma May 17, 2023 Exhibit 31.1 I, Craig M. White, certify that: CERTIFICATION 1. 2. 3. 4. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Educational Development Corporation; Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: a. b. c. d. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a. b. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: May 17, 2023 /s/ Craig M. White President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Exhibit 31.2 I, Dan E. O’Keefe, certify that: CERTIFICATION 1. 2. 3. 4. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Educational Development Corporation; Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: a. b. c. d. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a. b. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: May 17, 2023 /s/ Dan E. O’Keefe Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Exhibit 32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In connection with the Annual Report of Educational Development Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ending February 28, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13 (a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: May 17, 2023 By /s/ Craig M. White Craig M. White President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Date: May 17, 2023 By /s/ Dan E. O’Keefe Dan E. O’Keefe Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to, and will be retained by, the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. Directors Randall W. White Executive Chairman Educational Development Corporation John A. Clerico Co-Founder and Chairman ChartMark Investments, Inc. Dr. Kara Gae Neal Former Director, School of Urban Education The University of Tulsa Joshua J. Peters Portfolio Manager Morgan Dempsey Capital Management, LLC Bradley V. Stoots Retired-Office Managing Partner Grant Thornton, LLP Craig M. White President and Chief Executive Officer Educational Development Corporation Officers Craig M. White President and Chief Executive Officer (cid:39)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:183)(cid:46)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:72) Chief Financial Officer Heather N. Cobb Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Corporate Data (cid:49)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74) June 29, 2023, 10:00 a.m. (CST) Educational Development Corporation Executive Conference Room 5402 S. 122nd East Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146 Form 10-K Educational Development Corporation’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is available upon request. Write to: Craig M. White, President Educational Development Corporation 5402 S. 122nd East Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146 (cid:55)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87) American Stock Transfer and Trust Company New York, New York Auditors HoganTaylor LLP Tulsa, Oklahoma (cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:73)(cid:192)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:86) Educational Development Corporation 5402 S. 122nd East Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146-2230 Phone 918.622.4522 Fax 918.665.7919 www.edcpub.com Our Mission The future of our world depends on the education of our children. We deliver educational excellence one book at a time. We provide economic opportunity while fostering strong family values. We touch the lives of children for a lifetime. 5402 South 122nd East Avenue • Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146-2230 

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