All about cereal

March 21, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

All about cereal

When Marty Gitlin was growing up in South Euclid, Ohio, he decided it was imperative to try at least one bowl of every new breakfast cereal that hit the market. With the help of a really permissive mother, he was able to do just that. He now has his mother to thank for the book he has written, “The Great American Cereal Book: How Breakfast Got Its Crunch” ($19.95 hardcover, Abrams Image, above). Written with the help of researcher Topher Ellis, the book is, at its heart, an encyclopedia, Gitlin says. Colorful images grace the 368 pages of the book, and provide a wonderful trip down memory lane.