Holiday video releases often whirl before the glazed eyes of consumers as shopping frenzy begins to set in. Cartoons, comedies and plenty of other cute children's videos will make excellent stocking stuffers this holiday season. But an even better investment would be two children's dramas that address some of the tough problems kids face in growing up.

"Touch" and "Sometimes I Wonder" (Media Ventures Video, $14.95 each) are two top-quality educational videos that help parents explore thorny issues with kids. "Touch," starring Lindsay Wagner and the Illusion Theater Company of Minneapolis, deals with sexual abuse. "Sometimes I Wonder" stars Colleen Dewhurst and examines reproduction and sibling rivalry.

"Sometimes I Wonder" is the better of the two efforts, only because it tells its tale in the form of a movie. This made-for-cable production spins the story of a brother and sister who run away from home after their baby brother is born. Feeling deprived of attention and love, the kids turn to Grandma (Dewhurst) and her hearty farm life.

Granny's reaction is refreshing. Instead of driving the kids home and insisting, "Of course your parents love you," she humors them. She makes them do chores just like the ranch hands. And she shows the children that their favorite mare is about to have a foal.

As the kids ask questions, the wily grandmother has plenty of chances to address the subject of sex in a sensible fashion. When the children actually see the foal being born, they see for themselves just how helpless newborns are.

Dewhurst is at her radiant best as the grandmother, and the film moves along at a steady clip. Rating: (STAR) (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)

"Touch" falls short of "Sometimes I Wonder" because it focuses on forced theatrical skits rather than a free-flowing story. It also addresses the subject of sexual abuse directly to an audience of wide-eyed children. The embarrassment viewers might feel wears off after a few minutes, but a more indirect approach might make this tape easier to watch for the squeamish.

Unlike Dewhurst, Wagner is peripheral to the action. She merely joins the lesser-known but not less-talented Illusion Theater actors as they recreate stressful childhood incidents. They cover everything from innocent hugging to playground bullying to unwanted groping by lascivious relatives.

The messsage is clear: Don't let anyone make you feel cheap, used or tricked. The often-unclear distinctions between "good touch" and "bad touch" get plenty of discussion. Kids are constantly urged not to feel guilty when they are victims.

The message of "Touch" is a good one, but the tape probably is better for older children. Rating: (STAR) (STAR) (STAR)

"Sometimes I Wonder" (48 minutes) and "Touch" (32 minutes), recorded on VHS format only, are available at Waldenbooks stores or by calling 1-800-862-8900.