diff --git a/demes/__init__.py b/demes/__init__.py
index 9a1f278a..a0d6eb1f 100644
--- a/demes/__init__.py
+++ b/demes/__init__.py
@@ -10,3 +10,4 @@
 
 from .demes import Epoch, Migration, Pulse, Deme, Graph, Split, Branch, Merge, Admix
 from .load_dump import load_asdict, loads_asdict, load, loads, dump, dumps
+import demes.models
diff --git a/demes/models.py b/demes/models.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..20177b31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/demes/models.py
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import numpy as np
+
+from . import demes
+
+
+def island(size, migration_rate):
+    """
+    Returns a :class:`.Graph` object representing a collection of
+    demes with specified sizes with symmetric migration between
+    each pair of demes at the specified rate.
+
+    :param array_like size: the ``start_size`` value for each
+        of :class:`.Deme` in the returned model. The length
+        of the array corresponds to the number of demes.
+    :param float migration_rate: The migration rate between each pair of
+        demes.
+    :return: A Graph object representing this model.
+    :rtype: .Graph
+    """
+    graph = demes.Graph(description="Island model", time_units="generations")
+    for j, start_size in enumerate(size):
+        graph.deme(
+            id=f"pop_{j}", epochs=[demes.Epoch(start_size=start_size, end_time=0)]
+        )
+    graph.symmetric_migration(
+        demes=[deme.id for deme in graph.demes], rate=migration_rate
+    )
+    return graph
+
+
+def stepping_stone(size, migration_rate, boundaries=False):
+    """
+    Returns a :class:`.Graph` object representing a collection of
+    demes with the specified population sizes and in which adjacent
+    demes exchange migrants at the specified rate.
+
+    .. note:: The current implementation only supports a one-dimensional
+        stepping stone model, but higher dimensions could also be supported.
+        Please open an issue on GitHub if this feature would be useful to you.
+
+    :param array_like size: the size of each deme in the returned model.
+        The length of the array corresponds to the number of demes.
+    :param float migration_rate: The migration rate between adjacent pairs
+        of demes.
+    :param bool boundaries: If True the stepping stone model has boundary
+        conditions imposed so that demes at either end of the chain do
+        not exchange migrants. If False (the default), the set of
+        populations is "circular" and migration takes place between the
+        terminal demes.
+    :return: A Graph object representing this model.
+    :rtype: .Graph
+    """
+    size = np.array(size, dtype=np.float64)
+    if len(size.shape) > 1:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "Only 1D stepping stone models currently supported. Please open "
+            "an issue on GitHub if you would like 2D (or more) models"
+        )
+    K = size.shape[0]
+    graph = demes.Graph(description="1D stepping model", time_units="generations")
+    for j, start_size in enumerate(size):
+        graph.deme(
+            id=f"pop_{j}", epochs=[demes.Epoch(start_size=start_size, end_time=0)]
+        )
+
+    for j in range(K - 1):
+        graph.symmetric_migration(
+            demes=[graph.demes[j].id, graph.demes[j + 1].id], rate=migration_rate
+        )
+    if K > 1 and not boundaries:
+        graph.symmetric_migration(
+            demes=[graph.demes[0].id, graph.demes[-1].id], rate=migration_rate
+        )
+    return graph