As many of you who follow children’s literature may know, today, Friday the 13th, marks the end of one of the most successful, gloomy, and hilariously macabre series of books ever written for children. Lemony Snicket’s “Series of Unfortunate Events” finally concludes today with the release of the aptly titled and much anticipated The End, the thirteenth book in the series chronicling the perils of the orphaned Baudelaire children.

In celebration of the release of The End, HarperCollins Children’s Books has donated 25,000 copies of the Ominous Omnibus, a hardcover collection of the first three books in a “Series of Unfortunate Events,” to First Book. We couldn’t be happier at this rather fortunate turn of events — and we’re sure that nothing would bother Count Olaf more than to know that children everywhere are happy because of books.

First Book will also host a special celebration event in honor of this wonderful donation next Friday, October 20th, at Turner Elementary in Washington, DC. The event will be hosted with the support of Communities in Schools and Washington’s own George Stephanopoulos.

A very special thank you to HarperCollins, The Creative Artists Agency Foundation, and everyone who made this incredible donation possible for First Book.

And a final warning: keep a close eye on this space for more “unfortunate” happenings and special events!