Video Reviews : Kids / Animation : ****Excellent ***Good **Fair *Poor : <i> Recent releases, reviewed by Times critics.</i>

*** 1/2 “Abel’s Island.”

Random House. $14.95.

Michael Sporn’s gentle animated film captures all the best elements of this popular children’s book by William Steig. Abelard Flint, a wealthy mouse, learns self-reliance and discovers his inner resources when he is stranded on an island, far from his wife and luxurious home. A charming film, for both children and parents.